Welcome to the Slavery Research Bulletin, the Freedom Fund’s monthly brief designed to bring you new & compelling research from the global anti-slavery movement.
New global research estimates 40m people in modern slavery
New data compiled jointly by the International Labour Organization and Walk Free Foundation finds that 40 million people are in a situation of modern slavery around the world. Women and girls account for 71% of victims of slavery, and are especially vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage. In contrast, men and boys make up the majority (60%) of victims in forced labour.
23 countries make “significant advancement” tackling worst forms of child labour
The U.S. Department of Labor published its annual Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, surveying select countries on their efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies and social programs. This year’s survey finds that 17% of all countries surveyed received an assessment of “significant advancement”, most of them in Latin America.
Returnee domestic workers emphasise importance of access to mobile phones
An article in Globalization and Health studies the risk and protective factors associated with migration of Ethiopian domestic labourers. Returnees from the Middle East noted that conforming to cultural expectations and learning basic Arabic resulted in a more positive migration experience. Respondents also associated assertiveness with better treatment and respect, and emphasised the importance of access to external communication via mobile phones.
At least 38% of migrant fishermen in the Thai seafood industry were trafficked
Research by Issara Institute and International Justice Mission reveals that trafficking of migrant fishermen on Thai fishing boats has been widespread, and there are common patterns of abuse in the industry. Over 76% of surveyed migrant workers accrued debt prior to beginning work, and 18% were physically abused at sea.
Are historical references to the transatlantic slave trade warranted?
A special issue of the Anti-Trafficking Review explores how human trafficking has been likened to nineteenth century efforts to abolish slavery. The authors argue that simplistic analogies between past and present wrongs can hamper, rather than facilitate, efforts to secure rights and protections now.
Read on…
- A special issue of Chance reviews the challenges of counting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
- A report by the Henry Jackson Society shows how the sexual exploitation of women and human trafficking is funding terrorism.
- Research from the CORE Coalition has found that top companies lack transparency about known risks of modern slavery in their supply chains.
And finally
The new Global Estimates of Modern Slavery are an important milestone for the anti-slavery movement. Freedom Fund CEO Nick Grono explains why.
News & updates
For more news and updates about the Freedom Fund, visit our Newsroom. You can also view archived issues of our bulletin here.
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