ILAB stands up to unfair trade practices abroad, so American workers have the edge to win in the global economy. We publish three reports on foreign labor abuses that serve as valuable resources for government action and corporate due diligence: The Department of Labor's Exposing Foreign Labor Abuses to Address Unfair Competition for American Workers and Companies1, the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, and the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.
By shining a light on the egregious labor practices of our trading partners and foreign adversaries, these reports can help ensure that American workers are not undercut by cheap, exploited labor abroad. That means fairer global competition, stronger supply chains, and a level playing field for American workers and businesses.
From Insight to Impact
ILAB’s research and reporting are carried out under Congressional mandates and Presidential directives. They provide specific, actionable information to stakeholders to support fair competition that benefits American workers while combating labor abuses abroad.
- Companies use the reports to spot risks, vet their supply chains, and take action—shielding U.S. businesses from reputational and regulatory fallout.
- U.S. government agencies use the reports to block forced labor goods at the border and protect federal contracts—keeping tainted products out of our markets and safeguarding taxpayer dollars.
- Foreign governments draw on the reports to raise their game—strengthening laws, enforcement, and policies and creating a race to the top among U.S. trade partners.
- Consumers rely on these reports to shop smarter—avoiding products tied to abusive labor and boosting demand for responsibly made goods, including those proudly made in America.
Focusing on the efforts of certain U.S. trade beneficiary countries and territories to eliminate the worst forms of child labor through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies and social programs.
Listing goods that ILAB has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor, including, to the extent practicable, goods that are produced with inputs that are produced with forced labor or child labor.
Containing goods and their source countries that ILAB, along with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, have reason to believe are made by forced or indentured child labor.
Are you a company looking to fight child labor and forced labor in supply chains? View ILAB's SourceRight Today!
Resources
Submissions
The Office of Forced Labor, Child Labor and Human Trafficking is continuously collecting information and encourages submissions by national governments, international organizations, businesses and corporations, trade and workers' organizations, NGOs, academia, and the general public. We review all submissions as they are received. Submissions are welcome at any time.
To submit comments on or information for the TDA report, please email GlobalKids@dol.gov; fax to 202-693-4830; or mail to ILAB, U.S. Department of Labor, c/o OCFT Research and Policy Unit, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, S-5317, Washington, DC 20210.
DOL's mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States. This DOL mission is carried out by a variety of sub-agencies and offices (DOL agencies) covering domestic and international policy engagements, workforce development, enforcement, statistics, and benefits. DOL has a responsibility to protect the integrity of scientific information that is produced, communicated, and used across DOL agencies to better carry out its mission. ILAB is committed to using the highest possible scientific integrity and quality standards and practices to conduct our critical work. Scientific integrity is the adherence to professional practices, ethical behavior, and the principles of honesty and objectivity when conducting, managing, using the results of, and communicating about science and scientific activities. Inclusivity, transparency, and protection from inappropriate influence are hallmarks of scientific integrity.
[1] Also known as the Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor