Geneva: The United Arab Emirates has ratified the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, marking its status as the sixty-third country globally and the second among Gulf Cooperation Council members to adopt this significant instrument. This move underscores the UAE's commitment to eradicating forced labour, including human trafficking.

According to Emirates News Agency, the Protocol was overwhelmingly adopted during the 2014 International Labour Conference, enhancing the global legal framework against forced labour. It obliges States Parties to implement measures to combat various forms of forced labour, such as trafficking in persons, debt bondage, and forced domestic labour. It also mandates the sanctioning of perpetrators and the protection of victims by ensuring their access to justice and effective legal remedies.

Jamal Al Musharakh, the UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva, stated that the ratification signifies the UAE's steadfast dedication to fundamental work principles and rights. He highlighted the importance of migrant workers in the UAE's development, noting the nation's ongoing collaboration with the ILO to uphold workers' rights and combat forced labour through legal frameworks aligned with international standards.

The ILO Director-General expressed appreciation for the UAE's ratification, noting that it reflects the nation's dedication to combating forced labour and supporting fundamental work rights. He also acknowledged the UAE's contribution to promoting decent work and advancing the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Protocol will become effective in the UAE one year after the ratification instrument is deposited with the ILO. The UAE has now ratified nine Conventions.