Welcome to the Freedom Fund’s monthly bulletin designed to bring you new and compelling research from the global anti-slavery movement.
Kenyan domestic workers face coercive working conditions in Saudi Arabia
Amnesty International reports on the abuse experienced by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. Testimonies from 72 female returnees reveal that all had their passports confiscated, and most were obliged to work 16 to 18-hour days for lower pay than promised. The majority reported experiencing at least 8 of the 11 indicators of forced labour as defined by the International Labour Organization. The report highlights that the abuse of domestic workers began back home where women were misled about job conditions, compounded by discrimination and weak enforcement mechanisms to protect domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
Digital platform workers face arbitrary job losses and lack labour protection
Human Rights Watch sheds light on the experiences of platform workers across the United States. Drawing on 127 surveys and 95 interviews, the workers reported an average earning of USD 5.12 per hour – nearly 30% below the federal minimum wage – and struggled to afford basic expenses. Forty respondents reported being deactivated by an algorithm without adequate explanation, and half of those were later cleared of any wrongdoing. The report highlights a sharp contrast between the revenue growth of digital platforms such as Uber and DoorDash and the economic struggles faced by platform workers.
A global analysis of the prevalence of sexual violence against children
A study published in the Lancet, led by the University of Washington, estimates the prevalence of sexual violence against children (SVAC) across 204 countries. Reviewing 460 publicly available data sources from 1980 to 2023, the study found that globally, 19% of females and 13% of males aged 20 to 24 have experienced sexual violence while they were children. Prevalence among females was highest in Solomon Islands (41%), Rwanda (35%) and Côte d’Ivoire (34%). Among males, prevalence was highest in Côte d’Ivoire (29%), Haiti (17%) and Laos (24%). The study reports that SVAC often begins before age 12 for females and between ages 13 to 24 for males, highlighting key intervention windows for prevention.
Attitudes towards child domestic workers in Myanmar
Innovations for Poverty Action and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine explore public perceptions of child domestic work in urban Myanmar. In a survey of 1,072 adults, 85% knew of households with child domestic workers (CDWs), while 15% self-identified as a host household. Among these hosts, 51% believed CDWs should be expected to work “at any time” when asked, 38% thought that CDWs should work more than 8 hours per day, and 15% did not support a weekly day off for CDWs. These views were associated with respondents who are older, female, have higher education status and greater awareness of child domestic work.
Impact of a program to support lived experience, women and marginalised leaders
Gender at Work evaluates the impact of the Freedom Rising program, which supports the leadership of women, survivors and people from marginalised backgrounds in addressing modern slavery. Based on over 130 interviews with participants in Brazil, India and Nepal, the evaluation observed changes at the individual, organisational and movement levels, including more inclusive and participatory leadership, more equitable work environments and hiring practices, and stronger solidarity among participant leaders. While the program has achieved meaningful progress, the evaluation also highlighted challenges in maintaining engagement and collaboration among participant leaders beyond the conclusion of the program.
Read on
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism exposes more than 100 global brands that are linked to Uyghur forced labour in China. .
The International Labour Organization showcases actions taken by trade unions to organise, represent and provide meaningful services to workers in the informal economy.
Kobe University, Japan examines how climate change affects child labour in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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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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Photo credit: Filmatory Nepal/The Freedom Fund
