Welcome to the Freedom Fund’s monthly bulletin designed to bring you new and compelling research from the global anti-slavery movement.
Early effects of Ethiopia’s recent migration reforms
New York University and The Freedom Fund assess Ethiopia’s recent migration reforms to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Following the pre-migration journey of 25 female job seekers, the study observed faster processing times, lower costs and more consistent pre-departure training under the new scheme – though hidden fees and document fraud remain concerns. However, the women also expressed safety concerns and said KSA was the only legal option offered to them, despite preferring other destinations. While the reforms have the potential to strengthen protection, the findings also highlight the need for stronger oversight, enforcement against violations, and clearer communications to prospective migrants.
Cyber-enabled fraud and scam centres spreading beyond Southeast Asia
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports a surge in cyber-enabled fraud and scam centres across Southeast Asia and beyond. In 2023 alone, US victims lost an estimated US$5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams, including US$4.4 billion to “pig butchering” schemes often linked to online casinos and betting firms. These operations rely on an increasingly multilingual workforce – made up of hundreds of thousands of trafficking victims and complicit workers – based in poorly regulated areas such as conflict zones, special economic zones and business parks. The report also warns of these criminal networks expanding into Africa, the Pacific Islands and South America.
Hazardous realities faced by children in Dhaka’s informal sector
Médecins Sans Frontières analyses 10,200 health records from its occupational health clinics in Dhaka between 2014 and 2023. Among the 4,945 child patients, 38% were under 14 years old, 61% were male and 49% were malnourished. Children were found in prohibited work across many sectors, most commonly in garment (32%), plastics (30%) and metal factories (21%). Boys were more significantly more likely to suffer physical injuries than girls, with 65% of injuries occurring in metal factories. The authors call for stronger integration of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into national labour laws and stricter enforcement in the informal sector.
Global trends in prevalence of child marriage and early childbirth
A Wollo University-led study examines global trends in child marriage, early childbirth and school drop-outs. Based on data from over 1.2 million girls across 106 countries, the study finds that over 40% of child marriages occurred in six countries, including Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Mali and Niger. In the 11 worst-ranking countries, 25% of adolescent girls experienced early childbirth and at least half were out of school. While significant progress has been made over the past decade, this study warns of recent backsliding and estimates that by 2025, 23% of countries will still have child marriage rates above 25%.
Migrant deaths linked to suspected organ trafficking in Saudi Arabia
Migrant-Rights.org investigates allegations of organ trafficking and unethical organ harvesting suffered by Kenyan migrants in Saudi Arabia. A review of over 40 cases – including 36 deaths and four survivors – the report highlights instances of migrants receiving unknown medical treatments, being coerced into organ donation in exchange for return flights, and bodies returned with unexplained wounds and surgical scars. Some sponsors reportedly gave consent for organ removal on migrants’ behalf. The report highlights a troubling lack of investigations by Saudi authorities into suspect cases, and poor transparency around organ donors’ nationality and consent – exposing a system that seems to be profiting from the bodies of vulnerable migrant workers.
Read on
A study led by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative outlines the barriers faced by researchers in low- and middle-income countries in obtaining ethical approvals.
Legacy University Okija. Anambra State examines the link between unregulated lithium extraction and labour exploitation in Nigeria.
A study led by the University of Aberdeen, UK, investigates the influence of labour rights protests, corporate disclosure regulations and media attention on modern slavery audits.
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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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