Paper short abstract:

Highlighting comparative dimensions, this paper will focus on the growing interconnectedness between twentieth-century internationalism and the nature and modus operandi of the Portuguese Colonial Empire between 1924 and 1962, namely in what relates to the politics and policies of native labour.

Paper long abstract:

Highlighting comparative dimensions and assessing the historical interplay between imperial internationalisms, cold war rivalries and developmental discourses, this paper will focus on the growing interconnectedness between twentieth-century internationalism and the nature and modus operandi of the Portuguese Colonial Empire between 1924 and 1962, namely in what relates to the politics and policies of native labour. The political and diplomatic importance of the native labour question, especially its compulsory modalities, as a matter of international dialogue and dispute between the Portuguese empire-state and several international bodies (League of Nations, International Labour Organization and United Nations) will be analysed and explored comparatively. Four historical moments will be addressed: the debate within the Temporary Slavery Commission (League of Nations) between 1924-1926; the discussion around the first international convention regarding forced labour at the ILO (Convention no. 29 of 1930) between 1928-1930; the activities of the slavery and forced labour special committees coordinated by the ECOSOC and BIT (1947-53); and, finally, the Ghana's complaint against Portugal at the ILO (1961-62).