On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
PECH-PA-739691
Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Rosa D'Amato
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The Committee on Fisheries gives its draft opinion on the proposed regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market. It supports the proposal and proposes amendments to strengthen it for fisheries.¶¶ The draft opinion asks for a centralised complaint mechanism, Commission powers to investigate, a mechanism for non-cooperating third countries, remediation for victims, and reporting duties.¶¶¶ It proposes amendments to the regulation's recitals and articles to add Commission powers, clarify definitions, include transport and storage, and set up a database of forced labour risks.¶¶¶ It also proposes a new chapter on non-cooperating third countries and new articles on remediation and reporting obligations.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries supports the regulation and proposes amendments to strengthen it for fisheries, including a centralised complaint mechanism, Commission investigation powers, a mechanism for non-cooperating countries, remediation, and reporting duties.¶¶¶
Key points
- The rapporteur supports the regulation and wants a centralised complaint mechanism so stakeholders and citizens can file complaints directly with the Commission.¶¶
- The Commission should be able to assign complaints to national authorities or assess them itself, and both the Commission and Member States should be able to launch investigations.¶
- A mechanism should foster cooperation with high-risk countries, building on the IUU Fishing Regulation carding system, to tackle root causes and avoid disengagement.¶
- Remediation should be established with civil society, trade unions and stakeholders, with workers involved at every stage.¶
- Member States and the Commission should report on the regulation's application and publish the information.¶
- Amendments to recitals add references to ILO conventions, data on forced labour, and the binding nature of the prohibition.¶¶¶
- Amendments give the Commission powers to monitor the market, grant time to operators, request information, and conduct investigations alongside Member States.¶¶¶
- In high-risk areas, economic operators should bear the burden of proving forced labour was not used.¶
- A new recital and chapter allow the Commission to identify non-cooperating third countries and adopt measures, including trade measures.¶¶
- The definition of forced labour should include the complete value chain, transport and storage, and presume forced labour for listed countries or regions.¶
- A new article requires Member States and the Commission to ensure access to remedy and remediation for victims, with evidence of compensation, restitution, rehabilitation and prevention.¶
- A database should list high-risk regions and non-cooperating countries, and the Network should receive anonymous complaints and protect identities.¶¶
Who is affected
- Fisheries sector: forced labour abuses on vessels and in transport and storage are addressed.¶¶
- Economic operators: must prove value chains are free from forced labour in high-risk areas.¶¶
- Member States: must report annually and ensure remediation.¶¶
- Third countries: may be identified as non-cooperating and face measures.¶
- Migrant workers: noted as especially vulnerable to forced labour.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 128.000 fishers in forced labour worldwide¶
- 15.1 million labour abuse victims in Asia Pacific¶
- EU imports 68,6% of its seafood consumption¶
- 27.6 million people in forced labour in 2021¶
- 11,8 million women and girls in forced labour
- 3,3 million children in forced labour
- 86% of forced labour cases imposed by private actors
- 15% of adults in forced labour exploitation are migrants