Defend ILAB:
for the Press

Defend ILAB is a group of advocates working to protect the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) and restore canceled ILAB grants after the Trump Administration's decision to terminate over $500 million in critical programs combating child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking worldwide. Our mission is to demonstrate that these cuts not only abandon millions of vulnerable workers globally but also undermine American economic interests and values.

ILAB, created by President Truman after World War II, serves as America's global watchdog for worker rights, ensuring fair competition for American businesses by preventing companies from gaining unfair advantages through exploitation. Since 1995, ILAB's programs have contributed to the removal of more than 86 million children from exploitative labor conditions, while also strengthening trade agreements and protecting U.S. economic interests.

We're committed to providing journalists with accurate information, expert sources, and comprehensive data about ILAB's vital work and the impact of these funding cuts. Please use the contact form below to reach us for interviews, background information, or story resources. Together, we can ensure this critical story reaches the public and helps restore these life-saving programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ILAB, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor that promotes strong labor standards and fair working conditions worldwide. Its mission is to protect vulnerable workers, combat forced and child labor, and ensure trade partners uphold labor rights.

  • ILAB fights labor exploitation globally by:

    • Eliminating child labor in sectors like cocoa, coffee, and mining.

    • Combating forced labor and human trafficking in global supply chains.

    • Improving labor laws and enforcement worldwide.

    • Promoting fair competition by ensuring foreign products aren’t made with abusive labor practices.

    • Supporting workers’ rights in countries that trade with the U.S.

  • Since 1995, ILAB’s work and the programs it funds have:

    • Contributed to the removal of more than 86 million children from child labor.

    • Directly withdrew or prevented nearly 2 million children from hazardous child labor. 

    • Supported labor rights in over 90 countries.

    • Pressured countries like Uzbekistan to end forced labor in cotton production.

    • Worked with the ILO and NGOs to train thousands of labor inspectors.

    • Protected U.S. businesses from unfair competition based on exploitative labor.

  • ILAB is primarily funded through congressional appropriations. It directs this funding to international organizations and local partners that implement targeted, measurable programs to end labor exploitation.

  • ILAB works with:

    • International organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO)

    • U.S. and foreign governments

    • Nonprofits and worker rights groups

    • Private sector partners aiming to clean up their supply chains

  • If ILAB is dismantled:

    • Programs that prevent child labor and human trafficking will collapse.

    • American companies will compete against goods produced through forced labor.

    • The U.S. will lose leverage in enforcing labor rights in trade agreements.

    • Thousands of global jobs and protections will vanish, harming the world’s most vulnerable workers.

  • Because fair labor isn't just a global issue—it’s a U.S. issue. ILAB protects human dignity, keeps American workers competitive, and reflects our values abroad.