Dear MDBC members,

MY ORANGE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT (RBC) WORKING GROUP (WG) – EU REGULATION ON FORCED LABOUR: WEBINAR

On 19 November 2024, the European Council adopted a regulation prohibiting products in the European market made using forced labour.  It forbids the placing and making available on the European market, or the export from the European market, any product made using forced labour.

Jointly organized by MDBC and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the MY Orange RBC WG would like to invite you to an online session focusing on the EU Forced Labour Regulation (FLR), featuring two presentations: One addressing the regulation’s implications for companies and the other examining the current state of forced and bonded labour in Malaysia (please note: this second presentation will be during the closed door exclusive meeting for RBC WG Members only).  Originally scheduled on 15 January, this webinar will now take place on 25 March.

Presenters will be Amanda Gomes Lobo, Responsible Business Conduct Policy Officer at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Merel Thijssen, (Senior) Policy Officers Responsible Business Conduct at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Date: Tuesday, 25 March
Time: 15:00 – 16:00 hrs (Online Presentation Open to the Public)
Platform: Zoom

– Open to MDBC members and their supply chain partners.
– Other organizations who are interested are welcome to register. Acceptance to this event will be reconfirmed.

EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL INVITATION FOR RBC WG MEMBERS:

MY Orange RBC WG Members are invited to attend the event IN PERSON at the Netherlands Embassy.  The online presentation will be followed immediately after by a closed door meeting with the Speakers, Embassy, and MDBC.

Date:  Tuesday, 25 March
Time: 15:00 – 17:00 hrs
Venue: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Itinerary:
MDBC Members and the Public
15:00 – 16:00 hrs – Online Presentation on the EU Forced Labour Regulation

RBC WG Members ONLY (In Person at the Netherlands Embassy):
14:30 – 15:00 hrs: Arrival and Registration
15:00 – 16:00 hrs – Online Presentation on the EU Forced Labour Regulation
16:00 – 17:00 hrs – Closed Door Meeting with the Speakers, Embassy, and MDBC

MY Orange RBC WG:
Launched on 18 April 2023 as a collaboration between MDBC and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the MY Orange RBC WG provides an open space for knowledge sharing on best responsible practices, potential supply chain risks, and overall experiences with sustainability measures between company peers.  With Dutch and EU due diligence legislations upcoming, the RBC WG will dive deeper into the best actions to undertake when preparing for these requirements, addressing the challenges that can arise when doing so, and covering what risks this may entail.  For more info, please click here.

EU Regulation on Forced Labour:
On 14 September 2022, the EU Commission proposed new rules to ban products made with forced labour on the market of the European Union.  The FLR is expected to enter into force before the end of 2024.  The regulation enables the EU to prohibit the sale, import, and export of goods made using forced labour. All industry sectors will be covered by the new legislation. Member state authorities and the European Commission will be able to investigate suspicious goods,  supply chains, and manufacturers. If a product is deemed to have been made using forced labour, it will no longer be possible to sell it on the EU market (including online) and shipments will be intercepted at the EU’s borders. After the FLR has entered into force, member states have one year to designate one or more competent authorities. The regulation will take effect three years after entering into force.

The use of forced labour in the manufacture of products remains a worldwide problem. Today, worldwide, 27,6 million people are trapped in the hands of human traffickers and states who force them to
work for little or no pay (EU Council). Over half of the world’s victims of human trafficking and slavery are found in the Asia – Pacific region. Where the majority is linked to the formal economy and global supply chains. With migrant workers often in demand to fill critical labour shortages, they are frequently more vulnerable to exploitation and unfair labour practices than locally recruited labour (EU Council). “Forced labour refers to situations in which persons are coerced to work through the use of violence or intimidation, or by more subtle means such as accumulated debt, retention of identity papers or threats of denunciation to immigration authorities.” (ILO)

On 19 November 2024, the European Council adopted a regulation prohibiting products in the Union market made using forced labour.  It forbids the placing and making available on the Union market, or the export from the Union market, any product made using forced labour.

Please Note:

– ONLY RBC WG Members may attend the in person portion of this event;
– If you are an RBC WG Member, kindly indicate “RBC WG” under “Other Comments” when you register online;
If you are a current MDBC member and would like to register for the working group, please click here.
– Non – members may register their interest for the online webinar; they will be placed on a waitlist.

REGISTRATION

Please register online via the form below.
By clicking and registering online you acknowledge the event guidelines.

Please register no later than Friday, 21 March 2025 (12:00 hrs)