18 May 2023. The graphics from WBI’s Guidebook on ILO’s Forced Labour Indicators drawn by the phenomenal illustrator Stellina Chen can now be seen in a public exhibition on forced labour, curated by the Taiwan Labor Front, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan!
The educational exhibition by the Taiwan Labor Front 台灣勞工陣線, a well-known labour organisation with a strong research focus and long history of working on human rights and social justice in Taiwan, is now on at in89cinemax at Kaohsiung throughout May 2023.
In December 2022, WBI launched our Guidebook on international forced labour indicators. It is a practical guide for Taiwan’s SMEs, with localised Taiwan analysis for each indicator. Each indicator was beautifully illustrated by the talented Taiwanese cartoonist Stellina Chen.
The Guidebook has been used for a series of trainings on forced labour education in Taiwan, as well as being used by various civil society organisations in Taiwan for their own educational work on labour rights. The project website can be accessed here: BHRTaiwan.org.
With the present exhibition, the reach of this work is expanded further out into the public eye thanks to the graphics’ visually captivating style. Movie visitors can take their time, viewing and learning about forced labour at their own leisure, as they wait for their movies to start.
We are very excited about this exhibition, which allows awareness on forced labour risks in supply chains to reach new audiences. You can see a short video below:
[Video from the exhibition]
There is so much we love about the exhibition. It is next to a candy stand, so viewers can get their cotton candy and learn about forced labour, too.
The image lay-out on the wall creates a collage-like screen, facilitating a better understanding of the connections between the 11 forced labour indicators.
For example, it clearly shows how the restriction of freedom of movement (Forced Labour Indicator 3) can lead to isolation (Indicator 4).
[Forced Labour Indicators 3 & 4 from WBI’s Guidebook on ILO’s Forced Labour Indicators]
However, we also need to think of isolation as beyond only physical isolation. The exhibition makes clear – isolation can also be linguistic isolation and inability to integrate into the wider society.
Another striking example is the confiscation of personal documents (Indicator 7) and how it can be linked to abusive working and living conditions (Indicator 10).
[Forced Labour Indicators 7 & 10 from WBI’s Guidebook on ILO’s Forced Labour Indicators]
Recently, WBI’s Executive Director, Dr Bonny Ling, was in Taiwan and caught this exhibition in the artistic district of Kaohsiung, South Taiwan! She shared:
“Very excited to see the graphics taking on new life in Taiwan and promoting awareness on what is forced labour”
[Dr Bonny Ling at the exhibition]
Public awareness has a big role to play in eliminating forced labour. A well-informed public can make better informed choices as consumers, as well as work together with civil organisations, activists and lobby groups to shape policy-making.
WBI has expertise in helping businesses adapt to growing international standards on business and human rights set by the United Nations. This project is one example. Get in touch if we can help your business!
For more information on the exhibition, please see our local collaborator, the Taiwan Labor Front, and their important work on forced labour education.
Photo credits: 王蕙瑄 and Bonny Ling.
