Parliament Question: Import Restrictions on Goods Produced using Forced Labour

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2603 ANSWERED ON 04/08/ 2026 IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS PRODUCED USING FORCED LABOUR 2603. PROF. SOUGATA RAY SHRI KISHORI LAL Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ¼okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h½ be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any policy or legal framework to prohibit the import of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labour, including child labour and bonded labour, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has examined international practices, including import restrictions imposed by other countries on goods suspected to have been produced using forced labour; (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation, amend the Customs Act, or frame rules to prohibit the import of goods manufactured using forced labour and to strengthen due diligence in supply chains; and (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that India's import policies are consistent with its commitments under the Constitution, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and international human rights standards while safeguarding legitimate trade? ANSWER okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT;ea=h ¼Jh ftfru izlkn½ THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) to (d) Yes. Section 3 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 empowers the Central Government to make provisions for the development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports and increasing exports and, in particular, to make provision for prohibiting, restricting or otherwise regulating the import or export of goods. In exercise of these powers, the Government has inserted Paragraph 2.20B in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023, vide Notification No. 23/2026-27 dated 13.07.2026, to prohibit the import of goods produced wholly or in 1part using forced labour. The Government has also examined international practices, including import restrictions imposed by other countries on goods suspected to have been produced using forced labour. "Forced Labour" has been defined under Paragraph 11.64 of the FTP in accordance with the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29). The Central Government may notify specific goods for prohibition under this provision upon completion of due enquiry and satisfaction that such goods have been produced wholly or in part using forced labour. Bonded labour is addressed under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and child labour under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The Government has also, through Public Notice No. 21/2026-27 dated 13.07.2026, inserted Paragraph 2.50A in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, prescribing the procedure for determining whether imported goods were produced using forced labour. These measures provide a legal and policy framework to prohibit the import of goods produced wholly or in part using forced labour and are designed to ensure that India's import policy remains consistent with the Constitution of India, relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and international human rights standards, while safeguarding legitimate trade. ***** 2