Addressing Forced Labour in the Coal Transport Sector in Mongolia

Truck drivers working in the coal transport sector in Mongolia are facing conditions akin to forced labour, according to recent findings from the Bridge-II project. This project aims to help Mongolia meet the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) recommendations on forced labour.

 

A joint team from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection, the ILO, the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions, and the Trade Union of Umnugovi Province conducted a training and research session in Tsogtsetsii and Khanbogd soums of Umnugovi province. The training involved truck drivers, employers from coal transport companies, and workers from coal loading and unloading businesses, alongside state service providers such as Gashuun Sukhait Road LLC, Tavantolgoi JSC, Tsogtsetsii Soum’s Central Hospital, the Social Insurance Department, and the Gashuun Sukhait Customs Office.

 

A survey involving 127 drivers revealed alarming conditions:

• Unsafe working and living conditions: Drivers face severe environmental hazards, such as dust and air pollution, which pose serious health risks.

• Excessive overtime and lack of breaks: Due to the limited capacity of border checkpoints and pressure from buyers, drivers are required to work long hours without proper rest or breaks. Many are kept on standby in their vehicles for extended periods.

• Forced labour conditions: These conditions violate ILO standards and reflect clear breaches of labour rights, highlighting the prevalence of forced labour in the sector.

The joint team has called for immediate action by government agencies to address these violations. Collaborative efforts are needed to improve the working and living conditions of truck drivers and ensure the enforcement of labour rights in the coal transport sector.