Modern Forms of Slavery

The ILO, UNODC, and IOM are all involved in coordinating global efforts to combat human trafficking.

The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 40 million people in modern slavery worldwide.

India has the highest number of people in modern slavery, with an estimated 18.3 million people.

Forced labor is the most common form of modern slavery, accounting for 68% of all cases.

Debt bondage is a system in which a person is forced to work to pay off a debt, often with no end in sight.

Human trafficking involves the movement of people for the purpose of exploitation, while smuggling involves the movement of people for the purpose of illegal entry into a country.

Poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and discrimination are all risk factors for modern slavery.

Modern slavery can have a devastating impact on victims, including physical and psychological harm, loss of freedom, economic exploitation, and social isolation.

There is no single solution to combatting modern slavery. A comprehensive approach is needed that includes increasing awareness of the issue, strengthening laws and enforcement, supporting victims of modern slavery, and promoting responsible business practices.

Consumers can play a role in combating modern slavery by buying products from companies that are committed to ethical sourcing, avoiding buying products that are made in countries with high rates of modern slavery, and supporting organizations that are working to combat modern slavery.

Businesses can play a role in combating modern slavery by adopting and implementing a code of conduct that prohibits modern slavery, conducting due diligence on suppliers to ensure that they are not involved in modern slavery, and providing training to employees on how to identify and report modern slavery.

Governments can play a role in combating modern slavery by enacting and enforcing laws that prohibit modern slavery, providing support to victims of modern slavery, and working with other countries to combat modern slavery.

International organizations can play a role in combating modern slavery by coordinating global efforts to combat modern slavery, providing technical assistance to countries to help them combat modern slavery, and raising awareness of the issue of modern slavery.

Civil society organizations can play a role in combating modern slavery by providing direct assistance to victims of modern slavery, advocating for policies that combat modern slavery, and raising awareness of the issue of modern slavery.