How might this right be relevant to my life?
- If you are forced to work for little or no money
- If you are forced to work and cannot leave or escape, for example, your employer has taken away your passport
- If you are unable to refuse to work because you are frightened and/or are being threatened. These threats might by physical or psychological.
- If you are forced to work to pay off a debt
Slavery and forced labour are often described as modern slavery and can include:
- Domestic slavery
- Sexual exploitation
- Forced labour in construction sites, farms, car washes, manufacturing etc
- Being forced into crime, for example, children and young adults being made to traffic drugs
It is important to note that this right does not apply to:
- work you have to do as part of a prison or community sentence
- work the government requires you to do in a state of emergency
- work that is part of normal civic obligations, e.g. jury service
Can my right to be free from slavery or forced labour be restricted by a public official?
No. This right is an absolute right, which means it cannot be restricted or interfered with by public officials under any circumstances. The government and public authorities have a duty to protect people from slavery, servitude and forced labour, through laws, investigations and practical help.
What duties do public officials have?
To respect your right:
This means that public officials should not breach your right to be free from slavery and forced labour.
To protect your right:
This means that people working in public bodies have to take reasonable steps to ensure that you are free from slavery and forced labour.
To fulfil your right:
This means that if you have not been protected from slavery and forced labour government officials need to investigate why this happened and take steps to try and stop the same thing from happening again.
Related information
Experience-Informed Research
Our policy work is underpinned by people’s lived experience. One of the ways we do this is through experience-informed research on key areas the impact people's lives.
Experience-Informed Research
Our policy work is underpinned by people’s lived experience. One of the ways we do this is through experience-informed research on key areas the impact people's lives.
