Unfree labour facts for kids

Unfree labour is when someone is forced to work against their will or without being paid. Sometimes, this term is used to talk about slavery. It means people are made to do jobs they don't want to do, or they work but don't get any money for it.

Unfree labour is against the rules set by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is a document that says what rights all people should have. It's also against international law and agreements made by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which works to make sure people have fair working conditions.

What is Unfree Labour?

Unfree labour happens when people are made to work without their choice. This can mean they are forced to do a job, or they work but don't get paid for it. It's different from regular jobs where people choose to work and get paid for their efforts.

Why is it Against the Rules?

Many countries and international groups believe that everyone should have the right to choose their work and be paid fairly.

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that no one should be held in slavery or forced to work.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has special rules, called conventions, that ban forced labour. These rules help protect workers all over the world.

Examples of Unfree Labour

Throughout history, there have been different forms of unfree labour.

• Slavery: This is a very old form of unfree labour where people are treated as property and forced to work without pay or freedom.
• Conscription: Sometimes, governments make people join the army and fight, even if they don't want to. This can be seen as a type of unfree labour because people are forced to work for the country.
• Convict Labour: In the past, some prisoners were forced to work as part of their punishment. This happened in places like Australia in the early 1900s.
• Forced Labour in Wars: During big wars, like World War II, many people were captured and forced to work for the enemy. They often had to wear special badges, like the "OST" badge for workers from Eastern Europe.

Related pages

• Slavery

Images for kids

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  Convict labourers in Australia in the early 20th century.

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  Prisoner labour at the construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal, 1931-1933

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  Female forced laborers wearing "OST" (Ost-Arbeiter) badges are liberated from a camp near Lodz, January 1945.

See also

In Spanish: Trabajo esclavo contemporáneo para niños