What is it about?
In 2024, the European Union adopted a law that prohibits products made with forced labor from entering its market. Significantly, this law classifies “excessive overtime”—working beyond legal limits due to economic or systemic pressure—as a form of forced labor. This creates a major challenge for the workplaces in China, where high-intensity working hours are common. My paper explains how the EU uses supply chain traceability to force companies to prove their entire production process is clean. I analyze the legal conflicts between these international standards and local practices, and suggest that China should adopt digital monitoring systems and empower trade unions to help companies meet these new requirements while remaining competitive.
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Why is it important?
This work is timely because it addresses the Regulation (EU) 2024/3015, which represents a historic shift in global trade where human rights are becoming mandatory entry requirements. It is unique because it moves beyond traditional forms of forced labor, like slavery, to focus on the hidden issue of structural overwork in modern workplaces. My paper tried to provide a strategic framework for how developing countries can modernize their labor laws and monitoring systems. By proposing the use of technology and collective bargaining, it offers a practical way to balance international compliance with economic development.
Perspectives
Researching this topic allowed me to explore how global trade power is being used to reshape worker rights. As a researcher specializing in labor law, I believe we are entering a new era where human rights compliance is just as vital as financial efficiency. I hope this paper encourages businesses and policymakers to shift away from a model based on excessive hours and toward one that values human dignity. Ultimately, I want this research to contribute to a global economy that protects the welfare of the people who make our products.
Chikei FONG
Renmin University of China
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: 《歐盟市場禁止強迫勞動產品條例》對中國大陸勞動法實施的影響及其應對, 月旦法學雜誌, April 2026, Angle Publishing Co., Ltd.,
DOI: 10.53106/1025593137107.
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