Free the Slaves

Free the Slaves is a non-profit organization that works to end slavery and human trafficking around the world. The organization focuses on addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and lack of access to education, as well as working with local communities to identify and rescue victims of trafficking.

New Statistics Underscore Need for Reauthorization of Trafficking Victims Protection Act and Significant Increase in Funding for Anti-trafficking Programs | ATEST Releases Updated Fact Sheet for Federal Candidates in 2022 Midterms
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New Statistics Underscore Need for Reauthorization of Trafficking Victims Protection Act and Significant Increase in Funding for Anti-trafficking Programs | ATEST Releases Updated Fact Sheet for Federal Candidates in 2022 Midterms

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Terry FitzPatrick WASHINGTON – This week’s release of the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery is an urgent call to action. More people have been trafficked into forced labor worldwide than ever before. Globally, 28 million people are toiling against their will every day at factories, construction sites, mines, farms, brothels, and in private homes…

ATEST Recommendations to U.S. Trade Representative on Developing a Forced Labor Trade Policy
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ATEST Recommendations to U.S. Trade Representative on Developing a Forced Labor Trade Policy

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Terry FitzPatrick August 5, 2022 The Honorable Katherine Tai U.S. Trade Representative Washington, DC Electronic Submission to Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov Docket Number USTR–2022–0006 Re: Trade Strategy to Combat Forced Labor Dear Ambassador Tai, Thank you for your leadership in the battle against forced labor by announcing that your office will develop a Forced Labor…

Story of a Migrant Worker
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Story of a Migrant Worker

ByEyes on Trafficking News

West India is one of the largest migration corridors in the world. It’s estimated that 9 million Indian migrants are working in the Persian Gulf region. Many are employed in low-profile jobs such as construction jobs, food service, or even domestic positions. Oftentimes, these workers are paid for their hard work and provided with food and housing for their services. But, that’s not always the case. 

The less fortunate Indian migrant workers are victims of hazardous labor or even labor trafficking. read more >

FTS Launches First Community Liberation Initiative Training in Vietnam
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FTS Launches First Community Liberation Initiative Training in Vietnam

ByEyes on Trafficking News

The Free the Slaves Community Liberation Toolkit (CLT) continues to provide learning opportunities for anti-slavery grassroots organizations worldwide. Following the loosening of the COVID-19 restrictions around the globe, FTS conducted the first in-person training to 14 Vietnamese organizations in Ba Vi province, Vietnam, last July 12 – 14, 2022. Training local groups in Vietnam plays…

ATEST Applauds Overwhelming Bipartisan House Passage of the First of Four Bills to Reauthorize Trafficking Victims Protection Act
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ATEST Applauds Overwhelming Bipartisan House Passage of the First of Four Bills to Reauthorize Trafficking Victims Protection Act

ByEyes on Trafficking News

ATEST Applauds Overwhelming Bipartisan House Passage of the First of Four Bills to Reauthorize Trafficking Victims Protection Act July 27, 2022 • 5:37 pm • Terry FitzPatrick WASHINGTON – Legislation to reauthorize the key law that underpins the U.S. government’s efforts to combat human trafficking and forced labor has passed the House of Representatives with…

2022 TIP Report Underscores that Extensive Work is Needed to Improve Global Efforts to Protect People from Human Traffickers
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2022 TIP Report Underscores that Extensive Work is Needed to Improve Global Efforts to Protect People from Human Traffickers

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Terry FitzPatrick WASHINGTON – The 2022 U.S. State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which reviews responses by governments to combat human trafficking and forced labor worldwide, reveals that significant increases in political will and funding are needed to meaningfully improve global efforts to end forced labor and sex trafficking. The 2022 report chronicles…

Road Map to Freedom in Ghana
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Road Map to Freedom in Ghana

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Aspiring for a better livelihood, migrants from Cote d’Ivoire frequently cross the border to Ghana in search of greener and more fertile lands. Due to financial hardship, they were deceived into taking jobs without reviewing their authenticity and even gave out their children to labor. However, little do most migrants know that some “job opportunities” can lead to exploitation or human trafficking—something that frequently occurs in Ghanaian communities like Jamera. 

Situated on the border of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire is an read more >

Free the Slaves Joins Discussion on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Rights
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Free the Slaves Joins Discussion on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Rights

ByEyes on Trafficking News

Immigrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are vital to the Philippine economy. It’s estimated of the 109 million people residing in the Philippines, 1.77 million Filipinos are OFWs. Despite their important role in the Philippine economy, many of these seasonal workers lack the respect, care, and rights they deserve. Employers and government officials often do not understand or respect these workers. As a result, OFWs are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking.

OFWs are often the particular targets of traffickers due read more >

FTS and Partners Urge G7 to Take Action Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains
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FTS and Partners Urge G7 to Take Action Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains

ByEyes on Trafficking News

On June 13, 2022, Free the Slaves joined 20 civil society organizations, survivors, and academics in urging the G7 to adopt new measures in ensuring forced labor is eradicated from the global supply chain. The leaders of these prosperous countries have the resources and collective voice necessary to enact concrete steps that would protect those…