Why it is in news?

• The government has written to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) challenging a recent study on “modern slavery” conducted by the Australia-based Walk Free Foundation (WFF) on behalf of the global body.
• The report does not mention India.

Why government complaint ILO?

• The report, released on September 19, does not contain any India-specific findings, barring a mention that 17,000 people were interviewed for the survey.
• The letter follows a missive from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to the government about documentation by multiple international organisations on slavery in India that can hurt India’s image and exports.
• In a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and Labour Ministry, the IB mentioned the following reports — the 2016 United Nations Special Rapporteur Report on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, the 2015 ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations on Forced Labour, the 2016 Global Slavery Index 2016 and ILO-WFF joint report of 2017. 

Authenticity doubted

• Union Labour Secretary  wrote a letter to ILO Director General Guy Ryder on Thursday doubting the authenticity of the survey.
• Although country-wise figures were not mentioned in the 2017 ILO-WFF report, the study said 40.3 million people were victims of ‘modern slavery’ in 2016. 

What is  modern slavery?

• Definitions of modern-day slavery are mainly taken from the 1956 UN supplementary convention, which says: "debt bondage, serfdom, forced marriage and the delivery of a child for the exploitation of that child are all slavery-like practices and require criminalisation and abolishment".

ILO

• Th ILO is a tripartite UN agency which brings together governments, employers and workers representatives of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
• The ILO has 187 member states: 186 of the 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands are members of the ILO.
• In 1969, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations.
• The ILO registers complaints against entities that are violating international rules; however, it does not impose sanctions on governments.

Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

• Adopted in 1998, the Declaration commits Member States to respect and promote principles and rights in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions.
1. freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
2. the elimination of forced or compulsory labour
3. the abolition of child labour
4. the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Reports Published by ILO

1. World of Work Report
2. Global Wage Report
3. World Social Protection Report
4. World Employment and Social Outlook