Forced labor remains a significant challenge in Pakistan, with estimates suggesting that over 3 million people are trapped in exploitative conditions. Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable, being three times more likely to experience forced labor compared to non-migrants.

Over the past decade, more than 6.5 million Pakistanis have migrated abroad for employment, mainly to Gulf Cooperation Council countries, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.

In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the US Department of Labour (USDOL), organized a two-day training workshop in Faisalabad as part of its BRIDGE Project, aimed at eradicating forced labor and promoting fair recruitment practices.

The workshop brought together 30 journalists from print, electronic, radio, and digital media platforms.

Dr Faisal Iqbal, National Project Coordinator at ILO, emphasized the media’s critical role in raising awareness about forced labor and labor migration. “Media can significantly influence public perceptions and accountability on forced labor issues,” Dr Iqbal noted.

He shared the ILO’s 11 indicators of forced labor, such as wage retention, debt bondage, and abusive working conditions, and discussed findings from ILO’s 2024 report, which highlights the $236 billion in annual profits generated globally by forced labor.

He also stressed the importance of tackling forced labor in Pakistan’s supply chains, particularly given the EU’s new regulations banning products made with forced labor by 2027.

Award-winning journalist and media trainer Aoun Abbas Sahi led sessions focused on the media’s responsibility in addressing forced labor and fair recruitment. “Forced labor and migration are not priority areas in Pakistani media, despite their relevance to millions of people and the economy,” Sahi said, calling for extensive coverage from regions like Faisalabad, where forced labor is prevalent in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, and brick kilns.

Sahi emphasized the need for a rights-based and gender-sensitive approach to reporting, particularly when interviewing survivors, and trained participants in identifying compelling stories, collecting data, and crafting human-centered narratives across media platforms.

The workshop concluded with interactive sessions, group discussions, and practical exercises, reflecting a growing commitment among journalists to tackle forced labor and promote fair recruitment practices.

“While accurate data on forced labor in Pakistan is unavailable, estimates suggest that over 3 million individuals are affected,” noted Dr Iqbal.

“Media must play a vital role in highlighting these issues and advocating for solutions.”