§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Governments of(a) Bangladesh, (b) India and (c) Pakistan regarding forced labour in their countries. [24271]
§ Mr. BradshawWe continue to raise human rights concerns, including bonded and forced labour, with the Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indian authorities. We remind the authorities of the need to uphold the basic rights of all people, particularly the poor and disadvantaged who are most vulnerable to forced/bonded labour. We welcome the three countries' ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions which encourage equal pay among men and women. We also welcome Bangladesh's and Pakistan's ratification of ILO conventions that protect the labour rights of children.