Legal Definitions - forced labor

Forced labor is when someone is made to work against their will. This can happen when someone is threatened with punishment if they don't work. It can also happen when someone is made to work without choosing to do so.

There are some exceptions to what counts as forced labor. These include:

• Penalties imposed by a court
• Compulsory military service
• Action taken in an emergency
• Normal civil obligations
• Minor communal services

For example, if someone is sentenced to community service by a court, that is not considered forced labor. Similarly, if someone is drafted into the military during a time of war, that is not considered forced labor.

However, if someone is made to work in a factory against their will, that is considered forced labor. Another example would be if someone is kidnapped and forced to work on a farm without pay.