Welcome to the Freedom Fund’s monthly bulletin designed to bring you new and compelling research from the global anti-slavery movement.
Factors shaping Ethiopian women’s migration decision to the Middle East
The Freedom Fund and New York University shed light on the factors influencing Ethiopian women’s decisions to pursue domestic work in the Middle East. Of 173 prospective migrant domestic workers interviewed, 68% determined to emigrate overseas in search of better employment opportunities; their choice of destination is influenced by perceived working conditions and better pay. Study participants reported relying on social networks, family connections, and migration facilitators to make decisions and resort to informal migration practices. The study recommends protective strategies that begin in Ethiopia, such as rigorous implementation of the digitalised migration system, to support prospective migrants.
The Fifth European Commission (EC) progress report on combating human trafficking
The European Commission reports on the progress made in combating trafficking in human beings within the European Union. Based on data from 2021 to 2022, the report highlights a 20.5% increase in detected victims compared to the period of 2019 to 2020, rising from 14,311 to 17,248. Among the total victims detected, 65% were women and girls, the majority of whom were subjected to sexual exploitation, and 54% were non-EU nationals, with the top five nationalities being Nigerian, Ukrainian, Moroccan, Colombian and Chinese. The report highlights challenges in prosecution due to the growing online presence of both victims and traffickers. It also highlights a 51% increase in victims of labour exploitation, rising from 3,940 in the previous period to 5,940, with men accounting for 70% of victims.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESC) analysis of child labour
UNESC for Asia and the Pacific assesses child labour among children aged 5 to 17 in five countries, using a machine-learning model and the “Leave No One Behind” methodology to quantify inequalities of opportunity. Among other key findings, in Bangladesh, a higher child labour rate was found among out-of-school children (19%), while in Viet Nam, it was comparatively higher among children from lower-educated households (13%). In Fiji, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, children in rural areas were more likely to be engaged in child labour, particularly in agriculture, than their urban counterparts. A dissimilarity index found that in Bangladesh, the prevalence of child labour does not vary widely based on a child’s individual circumstances, whereas certain characteristics for children in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan were highly predictive of their likelihood of child labour.
Indonesian fishers experience forced labour conditions on domestic fleets
The University of Sydney leads an assessment of the working conditions experienced by Indonesian fishers employed by domestic fleets in domestic waters. Drawing on observational data and a total of 307 interviews, the study reveals conditions such as long working hours of up to 17 hours per day, wages below the mandated standard, unethical recruitment practices and the absence of independent unions to secure fair working conditions. The authors argue that these conditions are comparable to, if not worse than, the conditions faced by migrant fishers on foreign fleets, yet domestic fishers are often excluded from global campaigns about seafood supply chains. The study proposes that the issue of both domestic and migrant fishing be addressed through the lens of labour justice rather than focusing on extreme cases of exploitation.
Addressing ethical issues in modern slavery research requires actions beyond ethics review process
Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Center reviews the current research practices in the field of modern slavery and human trafficking. Based on a desk review and interview data, including interviews with researchers with lived experience, the study highlights four areas for improving research practices. These include the need for shared ethical governance, to clearly define the role of lived experience engagement in research, to accommodate trauma through an explicit trauma-informed approach and to create ethical research legacies through, among other approaches, offering skill development opportunities for lived experience experts who participate.
Read on
Center for Justice and Reconciliation examines the challenges related to defining, regulating, preventing and exiting online sexual exploitation.
Australian National University identifies determinants of women’s trafficking victimisation in Bangladesh.
Deakin University in Australia reviews factors influencing the trafficking of organs, tissues and cells, as well as strategies for its prevention and detection.
Freedom Fund news
Children employed as domestic workers often face exploitative and harmful working conditions.
Learn how the Freedom Fund is supporting children facing or threatened with exploitation in Kenya here.
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Research library
Visit our Slavery Research Library to access anti-slavery resources from across the globe.
Contact
The Slavery Research Bulletin is produced monthly by the Freedom Fund, a global fund with the sole aim of helping end modern slavery.
Research being featured in this bulletin does not equal endorsement by the Freedom Fund.
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