SOURCE: Voice of Russia - UK Edition
Jul 16, 2013 15:30
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British author Mende Nazer, born in Sudan, was abducted when she was a child. She was sold into slavery and forced to work as a house servant in London, UK (Rex Features)
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Modern slavery is the third largest global criminal industry behind illegal drugs and arms, according to the UN. Every year millions of people from poor communities migrate so they can support their families at home, but many are trafficked into unpaid jobs where they work in shocking conditions. VoR's Juliet Spare reports.
Up until now, most of the international effort on human trafficking has focused on sexual exploitation.
But labour trafficking is more common.
Around 21 million people worldwide are now thought to be victims of forced labour.
The Eradication of Slavery Bill, which Labour MP Michael Connarty submitted to parliament last year, seeks transparency in UK supply chains in order to abolish modern-day slavery.
There are now further calls on the Prime Minister to introduce a modern-day slavery act.
Robin Brierley is a consultant on human trafficking and immigration in the UK who used to work for the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.
“The Eradication of Slavery Bill aims to make large companies accountable in their annual reports to show what they’ve done to prevent human trafficking in the supply chains.”He said.
“The subject of trafficking in supply chains is new and I think it’s taking industry a long time to recognise the benefits of working with partners to ensure workers aren’t being exploited.”
Modern-day slavery is a booming economy capitalising on trading humans and forcing them to work. And it happens here in the UK.
Migrant Help, a charity based in Dover was set up 50 years ago to help victims of modern-day slavery.
Sandra Ni Artaigh is the Human Resources Manager for Tilmanstone Salads which worked with the charity.
“Last year we inadvertently came across people trafficking. If one of our own staff hadn’t been hyper vigilant we would not have known as the girls didn’t speak English.
"They were fantastic workers so we decided to link up with Migrant Help and Canterbury CID.
"I don’t think any manufacturing company throughout the country is going to be immune from this and you must have resources to spot the signs of trafficking if someone doesn’t have the strength to tell you themselves.” She said.
“I think when it comes to trafficking and 21st century slavery every organisation and manufacturer has an ethical and moral obligation to ensure they’re doing the right thing by their people.
"It doesn’t cost thousands of pounds, it’s about awareness.”
The UK Government is investing 9.75 million pounds over five years into an initiative called Work in Freedom to help tackle known labour trafficking routes between South Asia and the Middle East.
But it seems more companies in the UK need to adopt a business model which makes it impossible for modern day slaves to be abused by the job market.
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