A new joint report by the OECD and EUIPO provides clear evidence of a strong link between trade in counterfeit goods and forced labour. The analysis combines data on forced labour, child labour, informal employment, and occupational injuries with information about where counterfeit goods are produced and exported.
The report finds a distinct correlation between widespread forced labour and high levels of counterfeit production. The more vulnerable and unregulated the workforce is, the easier it becomes for criminal actors to minimise costs and conceal illicit activities.
The analysis also highlights additional factors that often accompany counterfeit production, including a large share of informal employment, low unionisation rates, and a greater incidence of serious workplace accidents.
The report concludes that dealing with trade in counterfeits is not only about enforcing IP rights - it also requires strengthening labour conditions, improved coordination between authorities, more responsible business conduct, and greater supply chain transparency.
The full report can be found on the EUIPO website.