Today, the Environmental Justice Foundation is pleased to see EU Member States backing the deal which was recently reached on the Forced Labour Regulation. This brings us closer to the adoption of this crucial law, marking a significant milestone for human rights.

Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, said: “Member States agreeing on this law sends a powerful message that the EU is upholding the fundamental values of dignity and respect for all people. It is urgently needed, as a recent report of ours on the Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. (ZOF), a major seafood industry player with global supply chains, proves. Products tainted with various human rights violations, including physical abuse of crew members, human trafficking and forced labour, are finding their way all too often into the EU market.”

“The product bans which the new EU forced labour law would make possible could combat exploitation like this on a global scale. The Regulation will defend human rights and provide a level playing field for businesses who stick to the rules. Today’s approval by EU Member States brings us closer to this law becoming a reality, and to the EU closing its doors to forced labour.”

We commend the Belgian and Spanish Presidencies for their tireless efforts in steering this crucial law to this point.

ENDS

Notes to editors

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