FACETS OF CONTEMPORARY SLAVERY

Thought that slavery was just a problem of yesteryears?  I suggest you to think again!

For much of history, slavery was seen as reasonable and lawfully correct action reflecting a divinely ordained order, perceived as firmly in ancient years somewhere in 1980s.

While we often think of slavery as a barbaric practice from long ago, it is important to recognize that not only does it exist today, but it is thriving around the world.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the revival of slavery today. The world’s population has almost multiplied in double where there are fewer jobs, resources, and the opportunities to go around leaving behind no choices for people than to take desperate measures to survive in these conditions.

Also, corrupt governments leave slavery unchecked, and slaveholders continue to skirt the law and hold people in bondage. As a result of these factors, there are more slaves in the world today than at any time in history.

Millions of men, women and children around the world are strained to lead their lives as slaves. Although this exploitation is often not called slavery, the conditions are yet the same. People are sold like objects, dehumanized, forced to work for little or no pay and are at the mercy of their 'owners'.

Common types of Contemporary Slavery that exist today fall under following categories:

Debt Bondage

These are usually the ones who have been tricked into taking loan for sickness or for personal usage. They are then forced to repay the debt by working long hours, seven days a week and up to 365 days a year. They receive basic food and shelter as 'payment' for their work, but may never pay off the loan, which can be passed down for generations.

Illegal employment

People who are illegally recruited by individuals, governments or political parties are than forced to work, usually under threat of violence or other penalties.

Trafficking

Millions of women, children and men are transported and/or traded from one area to another for the purpose of forcing them into slavery conditions. 1.8 per 1000 people are reported to be the prevalence of trafficking victims in the world.

Child Labor

Millions of women, children and men are transported and/or traded from one area to another for the purpose of forcing them into slavery conditions. Research estimates at least 126 million of children around the world doing work that is harmful to their health and welfare.

Modern-day slavery is indeed a complex issue that requires a collaborative and versatile response.

To be more effective in controlling this issue I uphold governments, individuals and businesses worldwide to target anti-trafficking strategies in three major dimensions of human trafficking: Supply, demand and the systems /structures that allow it to happen. This means taking strict action without discrimination against the country of origin, stakeholders that make its transit possible and against the country of destination.

Public awareness message: “Let’s consume ethically and not trade human lives!”