On December 10, 2012, the Washington Foreign Law Society had a lively, interactive discussion of the implications of President Obama’s Executive Order dated September 25, 2012, entitled ‘‘Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts,’’ which will have far-reaching consequences for a broad range of federal contractors and subcontractors both in the U.S. and abroad, The Executive Order and the forthcoming revisions to federal contracting regulations place significantly more responsibility on contractors and subcontractors to prevent trafficking and forced labor. The efforts of the Executive Branch and non-governmental organizations have come at a time of increased Congressional activity on the issue and possible forthcoming federal legislation on the subject.
Our panel of experts included Kim Natoli, Senior Public Engagement Officer, Office to Monitor & Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State; Linda Dixon, Program Manager, Combating Trafficking in Persons Program Office, U.S. Department of Defense; Shawn MacDonald, Director of Programs and Research, Verité, Global Fair Labor NGO; and Kristen Ittig, Partner, Government Contracts, Arnold & Porter LLP.
