Maria’s story – quiz

Maria EN

A recruitment agency offered Maria a job in an international clothing sales company. She was asked to give her identity papers and the agency promised to return them quickly. She lives on the site and housing is deducted from her salary. Employees can leave the company once a week, accompanied by the supervisor, and are paid very little (less than the subsistence minimum) on a monthly basis.

After receiving her first payment, Maria decides to leave the following month, but the agency tells her that she can only leave after five months, according to an internal document she has never seen.

From ILO case studies

1. Is Maria’s consent valid?

Yes, because the agency agreed to let her go after five months.

Yes, because she gave her consent to come and she was informed of the conditions.

No, because she has not been informed of the internal document and cannot freely leave her job.

Good answer!

The consent is not valid. She was not informed of the five months’ notice, which is excessive, and there is no guarantee that the agency will let her go afterwards. Employees must be allowed to leave their employer within a reasonable period of time known in advance.

No, the consent is not valid. She was not informed of the five months’ notice, which is excessive, and there is no guarantee that the agency will let her go afterwards. Employees must be allowed to leave their employer with a reasonable and known notice period.

2. Is Maria threatened with sanctions?

No, because she can leave her employer after four more months of work.

Yes, because his identity papers have been confiscated and his movements are restricted.

Yes, because his salary is low and the price of housing is deducted.

Good answer!

Maria is threatened with sanctions because she cannot leave her employer freely (confiscation of identity payers…).

No, Maria is threatened with sanctions because she cannot leave her employer freely (confiscation of identity payers…).

3. Is Maria in a situation of forced labour

Maria is in a situation of forced labour because she wanted to leave but her employer forced her to continue her work.

Maria is not in a situation of forced labour because her employer will allow her to leave after five months of service, as stated in the internal memo.

Maria is not in a situation of forced labour because she receives her salary regularly.

Good answer!

Maria is in a situation of forced labour because her consent is not valid and she is threatened with punishment. When she agreed to work in the company, she was not told that she had five months’ notice. The confiscation of her identity papers and her confinement in the company is a threat that prevents her from leaving.

In reality, Maria is in a situation of forced labour because her consent is not valid and she is threatened with punishment. When she agreed to work in the company, she was not told that she had five months’ notice. The confiscation of her identity papers and her confinement in the company is a threat that prevents her from leaving.