UN Committee Calls on Beijing to End Forced Labor and Allow Independent Trade Unions

May 31, 2005

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights recommended that the Chinese government "abolish the use of forced labor as a corrective measure" and "allow workers to form independent trade unions outside of the structure of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions," according to the China Labour Bulletin.

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights recommended that the Chinese government "abolish the use of forced labor as a corrective measure" and "allow workers to form independent trade unions outside of the structure of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions," according to the China Labour Bulletin. The Committee’s recommendations responded to the Chinese government’s recent progress report on these issues. The Committee, which comprises 18 independent experts, also recommended that the Chinese government improve its implementation of Chinese labor laws to eliminate long work hours, insufficient breaks, and hazardous working conditions. During its deliberations, the Committee also asked whether or not the Chinese government intends to ratify more of the ILO's 18 Conventions. The National People’s Congress has ratified two conventions on child labor and one on equal remuneration for women and men.

The U.N. Committee expressed concerns about the use of child labor in the PRC's dangerous industries, especially mining, and the poor working conditions of migrant workers. The Committee's list of suggestions and recommendations include: "(1) adoption of a National Human Rights Plan of Action; (2) allocation of adequate and increased resources; (3) legislative reforms, including amendments to the Trade Union Act to allow workers to form independent trade unions outside the structure of the official All-China Federation of Trade Unions; (4) the provision of detailed information on public consultation in the preparation of the country report; and (5) the removal of restrictions on freedom of information and expression."