The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery – December 2

More than 40.3 million people worldwide, roughly twice the population of Scandinavia, are estimated to be victims of slavery today, according to the International Labour Organisation. The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery aims to remind people of that.

Historically affecting the most vulnerable individuals or communities in society, slavery today takes the form of human trafficking for the purposes of forced labour, sexual exploitation or debt bondage. Sexual exploitation is the most ‘visible’ form of modern slavery, and it accounts for roughly a third (4.8 million cases) of the 16 million victims of human trafficking supplying forced labour worldwide for the private sector in domestic work, construction, or agriculture. In the UK alone, reports on human trafficking highlight victims of forced labour outnumbering those of sexual exploitation by 46% to 34%.

Outstanding progress has been achieved in 2017 following the inclusion of forced marriage, a practice responsible for 15.4 million victims worldwide, among the forms of human exploitation.

The international community’s most recent commitment to tackle down modern slavery includes the 50 for Freedom initiative to which 43 states out of the targeted 50 have already responded by ratifying the Forced Labour Protocol. 

Each fourth victim of modern slavery around the world is a child. In addition to the above-mentioned forms of exploitation, children are forced to commit crimes, including drug smuggling, begging or petty thefts, and are even used in armed conflicts.

Modern Slavery in the UK

Tens of thousands are estimated to be victims of modern slavery throughout the UK. The modus operandi employed by human trafficking networks make the most susceptible profile for labour exploitation out of foreign workers in a state of financial despair. However, official records confirm a notable number of UK nationals that have fallen victim to modern slavery too. 

Victim assistance remains the highest concern, especially since the trauma incurred prevents victims from undertaking legal action or cooperating with the authorities against their exploiters. Furthermore, official estimations warn about up 34% of former victims in the risk of becoming re-trafficked. 

Modern Slavery and Corporate Responsibility

Starting in mid-19th century, early awareness campaigns made consumers reject merchandise manufactured through forced labour. Today, abuses exposed in the palm oil industry alone reveal links to some of the world’s top FMCG companies. British companies nowadays have to publicly report their efforts in monitoring the ethical treatment of workers all along their global supply chain, under the Modern Slavery Act.

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