Topic:
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Giselle Green
The pervasive issue of labor exploitation is pressing and poses a global threat. 50 million people as of today are still being subject to forced labor. According to the International Labour Organization, the definition of forced labor is, “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.” Labor exploitation can be enforced by private and public companies and individuals. It can also happen to people ranging from children to adults in a variety of industries. One of the major victims of forced labor are people in poverty. Many either do it for fast money or are forced into it. Many enterprises or individuals entertain forced labor because it provides a profit and workers when companies lack employees. Labor exploitation can end up having a negative impact on the economy. Despite seeming to benefit the economy due to high consumption rates, there is a lack of investment and a strong correlation between forced labor and the exhaust of natural resources. Labor exploitation only results in economic, environmental and social disadvantages. In 2014, the ILO updated and created legislation against the exploitation of people. Not to mention, The Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 and the Forced Labour (Supplementary Measures) Recommendation, 2014 (No. 203) were put in place. This was a great stride in the fight to prevent forced labor around the world.
As the delegate representing Algeria, we strongly believe that all possible measures should be taken to eradicate labor exploitation everywhere. The UN, ILO and the UNDP have all made important advances in ending labor exploitation, but we hope to contribute to the complete removal of it. Forced labor was an issue in Algeria through human trafficking, but we have since then put measures in place to decrease and end this problem. Algeria’s first step to getting rid of labor exploitation in our country was establishing the National Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Committee. They have worked closely with The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) researching and discussing the best framework that would attack labor exploitation from multiple angles. A project to tackle the consequences of human trafficking and labor exploitation was established starting in late 2021. This consisted of support and involvement from the United Kingdom, Algeria, the UNODC, the National TIP Committee and various law officials from the eastern region of Algeria. The purpose of this event was to come to a collective agreement on the most efficient way to go forward with the punishment of labor exploitation. A few ways we discussed handling this issue were increased and strengthened labor inspectors, both public and private industry prevention, support of the victims through mental health organizations, and much more. According to the U.S. Department of State, the initiative we took proved effective as our government reported about a 33% reduction in human trafficking cases from the year this action was implemented compared to now.
After experiencing firsthand the positive effects of collaboration and organized legislation to reduce labor exploitation, Algeria would love to propose ways to make this framework large-scale. The first major step that will need to be taken is collaboration. Unless everyone is on a similar page, it will be hard to fully eliminate labor exploitation for everyone. Legislation is stronger when multiple nations have a say and can contribute ideas that will help benefit other countries and their own. Because Algeria had so much support from multiple UN vessels and legislators in their own country, we were able to create such a strong plan against exploitation. Another idea that was previously stated was the fact that this legislation was supported on so many levels. Not only was there prevention in place for reducing labor exploitation in the form of committees, legislation, and human rights organizations, but we also covered other problems that can arise due to the major issue. Social matters such as the safety and mental health of the victims were discussed as well. All in all, Algeria expresses its full support of a resolution that would tackle this issue on multiple levels and with the insight and joint effort of the other nations in this committee.
Works Cited:
“What Are Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking? (Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking).” What Are Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking? (Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking), International Labour Organization, www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/definition/lang–en/index.htm. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Algeria – United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 27 Mar. 2023, www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/algeria/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Yemen Food Security Response and Resilience Project Updated Labor …, www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-02/labor_management_procedures-fsrrp.pdf. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Forced Labour: Does It Make Economic Sense? – United Nations University, collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:3293/JRF01_ForcedLabour.pdf. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
Author links open overlay panelJessica L. Decker Sparks 1, et al. “Growing Evidence of the Interconnections between Modern Slavery, Environmental Degradation, and Climate Change.” One Earth, Cell Press, 19 Feb. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332221000610. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
“Algeria: A Great Step towards Ending Human Trafficking for Labor Exploitation Purposes.” United Nations : UNODC ROMENA, www.unodc.org/romena/en/Stories/2021/March/algeria_-a-great-step-towards-ending-human-trafficking-for-labor-exploitation-purposes.html. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.
