Slavery, once a legalized practice tied to ethnicity, has now shifted to the informal economy, driven by poverty and economic disadvantage.
The cost of acquiring slaves is lower than ever, and profits from human exploitation are at an all-time high.
Although human development has made many advances over the past 40 years, income inequality has worsened, leading to increased migration and greater vulnerability to enslavement. Corruption, conflict, and social unrest contribute to modern slavery, migration, globalization, urbanization, and political changes.
What is modern slavery?
Modern Slavery is a broad term that is often used to encompass slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
This term highlights the various ways in which people can be controlled and exploited in today’s world, often through deceptive practices, threats, or outright violence. Modern slavery is not confined to any single region or industry; it can occur in domestic settings, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and even in service sectors such as hospitality and healthcare. The typical presentation across these practices is the severe violation of personal freedom and dignity, with individuals being treated as commodities bought, sold, or exploited for profit.
What is forced labour?
Forced labour is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29). It states,
“…all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily”.
Forced labour isn’t just about poor working conditions or minor labour law violations, like earning less than the legal minimum wage but still being free to leave without consequences. It’s also not about staying in a job simply because no better options are available.
Forced labour is any situation where people are compelled to work against their will under the threat of punishment.
What is human trafficking?
The concepts of human trafficking and forced labour are closely linked.
Under Section 2 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, the human trafficking process requires victims to be moved (travel) from one location to another for exploitation. Under the Act, Travel can mean arriving in or entering any country, departing from, or travelling within any country.
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, or harbouring of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for exploitation.
Economic inequality plays a big role in the process, with traffickers exploiting these gaps to control and direct both regional and international migration. Even though globalization has made it easier to move around the world, stricter immigration policies have reduced the flow of legal migration.
As a result, people are turning to criminal networks that offer illegal ways to enter other countries in search of better job opportunities, education, healthcare, and security.
Under Article 3 of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, human trafficking involves 3 elements: the Act, the Means and the Purpose.
What does modern slavery look like?
Modern slavery takes many forms in the UK and the world, from women sexually exploited in on and off-street prostitution, men forced to work in factories without pay, and children kept by families as domestic servants. There is no ‘typical’ victim, as modern slavery transcends ethnicity or nationality.
When identifying potential victims of modern slavery, there are several warning signs to watch for. These indicators can help in recognizing individuals who may be trapped in exploitative situations.
General Indicators of Modern Slavery
These indicators include people who:
- Display fear or anxiety
- Have injuries that seem to be from an assault
- Are fearful of disclosing their immigration status
- Lack of possession of their passports or identity documents, which are held by someone else
- Struggle with the local language
- Are unaware of their home or work address
- Let others speak for them when directly addressed
Sexual Exploitation
Sexual exploitation is a form of modern slavery where individuals are forced or coerced into performing sexual acts against their will. This exploitation often involves manipulation, threats, or violence to control the victims, who may be trafficked for prostitution, pornography, or other forms of sexual abuse.
Indicators of sexual exploitation include people who:
- Have tattoos or other marks indicating “ownership” by their exploiters
- Live or travel in a group, sometimes with other women who do not speak the same language
- Only know how to say sex-related words in the local language or the language of the client group
Labour Exploitation
Labour exploitation occurs when individuals are coerced or manipulated into working under harsh conditions, often with little or no pay. This form of exploitation can involve:
Forced Labor, poor working conditions, unfair pay, and denied basic labor rights. It often involves vulnerable populations, such as migrant workers, who may have limited options for legal employment or lack knowledge about their rights.
Indicators of labour exploitation include people who:
- Live in groups in the same place where they work and leave those premises infrequently, if at all
- Are given only leftovers to eat
- Have no access to their earnings
- Are subject to security measures designed to keep them on the work premises
- Are subjected to insults, abuse, threats or violence
Domestic Servitude
Domestic servitude is a form of modern slavery where individuals, often women or children, are forced to work in private homes under conditions of exploitation. These individuals may be required to perform household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare, but unlike regular employment, they are controlled through threats, violence, or deception.
Victims of domestic servitude typically have little or no freedom, work long hours without proper pay, and may be cut off from the outside world, making it difficult for them to seek help.
Indicators of domestic servitude include people who:
- Live with a family
- Do not eat with the rest of the family
- Never leave the house without their employer
- Lack of possession of their passports or identity documents, which their employer holds
- Are given only leftovers to eat
What do I do if I suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery?
The point of contact for all modern slavery crimes should be the local police force.
In the United Kingdom
If a potential victim is at risk that requires an immediate response dial 999.
If you hold information to help identify potential victims, contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.
Alternatively you can make calls anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In the United States
As in the UK, if a potential victim is at risk that requires an immediate response, dial 911.
For all non-emergency incidents, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
What else can I do to combat modern slavery?
Be a conscientious and informed consumer.
Start to ask yourself, ‘Who made my clothes? Who picked my tomatoes? Who mined the materials used to assemble my mobile phone?
Discover your slavery footprint at Slavery Foot Print
Buy Fair Trade
Products labelled “fair trade” are produced ethically, with fair labour conditions, fair prices, community development and environmental sustainability.
Initiate anti-trafficking efforts in your community.
Host an awareness event, watch and discuss films about human trafficking and encourage others to do the same.
Become an anti-slavery volunteer.
Follow the link to search for volunteer opportunities across the globe. For a list of ‘Slave Free’ Companies, please visit End Slavery Now.
The time to tackle modern slavery in your supply chains is right now. Learn more about how we help companies of all sizes be free from modern slavery.
