ILO: Ethical guidelines for research on forced labour

January 2024

When researching forced labour, the target group is generally a population that has been exposed to or is at risk of exploitation. Research on forced labour often relies on methods to study people who are marginalised and difficult to reach. Study methods must take account of the potential risks of harm that study participants may face from their family, traffickers, state institutions and the media.

Samuel Hall, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine  have formulated Ethical Guidelines for Research on Forced Labour, setting a new benchmark and framework for safeguarding forced migrants’ rights in research; funded by the United States Department of Labor.

The guidelines provide a clear framework for addressing the complex ethical considerations in forced labour research, focusing on informed consent, privacy, and harm reduction. They serve as a guide for ethical research practices, ensuring the protection and respect of participants within this sensitive area of study.

Offering an ‘Ethical Checklist’ for all phases of the research; they serve as a compass guiding researchers through the ethical complexities of data collection, analysis, and dissemination, ensuring that the welfare of child participants is at the forefront.

These guidelines serve as a toolkit for researchers, encapsulating decision trees, checklists, and strategies for ethical dilemmas. They are designed to inspire a shift towards methodologies that not only generate insights but also protect and empower participants, particularly those at risk of or affected by forced labour.

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