Slavery

Modern slavery is unseen because it's convenient | The Future of Work Podcast - ILO Voices

Slavery is the practice of owning and controlling people as property, and using them for labor or other purposes. It has existed throughout human history, and has taken many different forms. In the past, slavery was often justified on the grounds of race, religion, or nationality, with slaves being considered inferior to their owners. Slavery was abolished in most parts of the world during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but it still exists in some parts of the world today. It is a violation of human rights and is condemned by international law.

The prevalence of modern-day slavery is difficult to determine, as it is often hidden and difficult to detect. However, according to the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, an estimated 40.3 million people are subjected to modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. This includes 25 million people who are subjected to forced labour, and 15.4 million people who are in forced marriages. It is a global problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and nationalities. Above all, these crimes are often hidden and difficult to detect, and they require continued efforts to prevent and combat them.

Other terms

  1. Human Trafficking
  2. Modern day slavery
  3. Forced labor
  4. Debt bondage
  5. Forced marriage
  6. Servitude
  7. Labor exploitation
  8. Labor trafficking
  9. Human exploitation

Forms of human trafficking

People who are subjected to these crimes are forced to work in a wide range of occupations and industries. To illustrate, human trafficking occurs in:

  1. Agriculture, including farming, fishing, and forestry
  2. Construction, including building and infrastructure projects
  3. Domestic work, including cleaning, cooking, and childcare
  4. Manufacturing, including textiles, electronics, and clothing
Uyghur communities urge UN human rights chief to investigate
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Uyghur communities urge UN human rights chief to investigate

This week Uyghur Muslim refugees in Turkey organized a press conference in Istanbul to urge UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to independently investigate “re-education camps” and allegations of massive rights abuses including forced labor, torture, and genocide when she finally visits China’s Uyghur Region later this month.  International pressure is intensifying, and Michelle Bachelet…

Refugees at Risk: UNODC Uncovers Human Trafficking at Camp in Malawi
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Refugees at Risk: UNODC Uncovers Human Trafficking at Camp in Malawi

(UNODC) and the Malawian Police Service. Now measures are underway to dismantle the human trafficking networks operating within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, identify and rescue their victims and bring those responsible to justice. “The situation was much worse than we first envisaged,” says UNODC’s Maxwell Matewere, who initially visited the camp in October 2020 where…

‘It’s like cancer, it knows no boundaries’ | Reports of human trafficking on the rise in East Tennessee – WBIR.com
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‘It’s like cancer, it knows no boundaries’ | Reports of human trafficking on the rise in East Tennessee – WBIR.com

In 2021, the TBI Human Trafficking Unit conducted 13 undercover operations across the state, including several in East Tennessee. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — According to the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking (CCAHT), reports of human trafficking in East Tennessee are becoming more prevalent. “There’s so much victim-blaming to human trafficking, and these individuals, they need…

State Senate to pass legislation to fight human trafficking – Spectrum News
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State Senate to pass legislation to fight human trafficking – Spectrum News

It’s been nearly 200 years since slavery was abolished in the state, but a modern form of it continues every day in plain sight. An estimated 25 million people were trafficked across the globe in 2021, according to legislation, sponsored by Sen. Anna Kaplan, to require information to report human trafficking in some New York…

Former domestic worker exploited in France rebuilds life
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Former domestic worker exploited in France rebuilds life

Speaking to VICE News this week, former domestic worker Inès shared her experiences of servitude in France where she thought she would be able to pursue an education. Trained as a nail technician in a French-speaking African country., Inès had aspirations of moving abroad to continue her education. Her boss suggested she move to France where…

Japan only G-7 member to not impose sanctions on China for forced labor
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Japan only G-7 member to not impose sanctions on China for forced labor

In October 2021, the trade ministers of the G-7 countries, the world’s richest nations, issued a joint statement pledging to eradicate forced labor in global supply chains. The ministers stated, “We affirm that there is no place for forced labor in the rules-based multilateral trading system.” The declaration recognizes the important role that trade policy…

Migrant workers are documenting their experiences to drive change
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Migrant workers are documenting their experiences to drive change

Groups of Bangladeshi and Pakistani men are raising awareness of the conditions they face as undocumented agricultural workers in Greece. Through Photovoice, an arts-based social justice tool, they are recording their experiences and concerns, and sharing them with the world.   Reena Kukreja, Assistant Professor of Global Development Studies at Queen’s University in Ontario, has…

‘Construction companies must act’ – Report reveals 33 businesses paid criminal gang who exploited victims of modern slavery
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‘Construction companies must act’ – Report reveals 33 businesses paid criminal gang who exploited victims of modern slavery

At least 33 businesses unknowingly paid an organised criminal gang who placed hundreds of…

The post ‘Construction companies must act’ – Report reveals 33 businesses paid criminal gang who exploited victims of modern slavery first appeared on Hope for Justice.

The European Commissions’ proposal for an EU due diligence law: our recommendations addressing its current shortcomings
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The European Commissions’ proposal for an EU due diligence law: our recommendations addressing its current shortcomings

In February 2022, we shared our initial reaction to the EU Commissions’ proposal for a mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law. We have now released our comprehensive analysis and recommendations for addressing the proposal’s shortcomings. Rocio Domingo-Ramos, Business and Human Rights Policy and Research Officer, shares how we believe the proposal can be…