From Fakes to Forced Labour

This report presents new empirical evidence demonstrating a robust link between trade in counterfeit goods and labour exploitation. Countries with higher levels of forced labour and informality show greater counterfeit-export intensity, indicating that illicit production thrives where workers are unprotected and easily replaced. These findings call for integrated policy action: addressing counterfeiting requires improving labour-market conditions and promoting high labour standards is important to ensuring clean and competitive global trade. Strengthened data sharing, coordinated enforcement, responsible business conduct, and enhanced social-protection systems are essential.