Objectives of the report

The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, wishes to focus his next thematic report to the General Assembly on contemporary forms of slavery in the informal economy.* The report intends to analyse to what extent there are manifestations of contemporary forms of slavery in different sectors and in different countries/geographic regions. Furthermore, the thematic study wishes to clarify what the profile of the victims/survivors is and what measures would be needed to prevent and address contemporary forms of slavery in the informal economy.

* The main characteristics of employment in the informal sector include casualisation of employment, a lack of employment contracts, of benefits like annual/sick leave, as well as of formal regulation and protection by States.

Key questions and types of input sought

1. What is your understanding of the term “informal economy”?
2. What are examples of informal employment in your country?
3. In which sectors (e.g. domestic work, agriculture, manufacturing, street vending, rubbish collection, among others) does labour exploitation take place? Please provide details on the nature and extent of such exploitation, including forced/bonded labour, domestic servitude and child labour, including its worst forms)?
4. What percentage of the workforce is in the informal sector/economy in your country?
5. Who is employed in the informal sector in your country? Please provide details with regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, nationality, as well as social and/or economic status. Are some categories of workers affected by contemporary forms of slavery more than others? If so, please explain.
6. What are the main factors in the informal economy which push workers into these practices (e.g. a lack of employment contract, access to employment benefits and protection, complaints mechanisms, and wider regulation/protection by States)?
7. Are contemporary forms of slavery in the informal economy more prevalent in rural or urban areas? Please provide details.
8. What legislative and other measures are in place to address the informality of employment in your country?
9. What kind of complaint/grievance mechanisms exist for informal workers to address violations of their human rights, including contemporary forms of slavery?
10. Is the labour inspectorate in your country mandated to inspect the informal sector and to take action in case abuse/labour exploitation is detected?
11. What kind of financial, legal or other assistance exists for victims/survivors of contemporary forms of slavery in the informal economy?
12. What role, if any, do civil society organisations and trade unions play in preventing informal workers from being subjected to contemporary forms of slavery in your country? Please provide examples.