Post by account_disabled on Feb 17, 2024 6:13:14 GMT -5
The Global Slavery Index reveals a worrying increase in modern slavery by 2023. According to this study, the number of people trapped in this situation has exacerbated since 2018, in a context of increasingly complex conflicts, environmental degradation widespread migration, climate-induced migration, a global rollback of women's rights, and the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest Global Slavery Index, compiled by the human rights group Walk Free, reveals that the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery are North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Russia , Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Global crises drive modern slavery
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), modern slavery refers to any forced labor or service exacted from any person under the threat of any penalty and for which said person has not volunteered. The “private economy” includes all forms of forced labor other than state-imposed forced labor.
In the Americas, more than five million people were living under conditions of modern slavery in 2021, with Venezuela, Haiti and El Salvador leading the region in the number and prevalence of people in modern slavery. The report shows how mass migration driven by political instability, violence and environmental degradation has exacerbated modern slavery, forcing millions of people in the region to migrate in unplanned ways that put them at greater risks of exploitation.
Wealth disparity impacts government responses to modern slavery within the region. The US and Canada, the two richest countries, have taken the greatest steps to address modern slavery in America. However, even in these countries, thousands of people are forced to work or marry, despite high levels of economic development, gender equality, social welfare and political stability, as well as strong criminal justice systems.
“ Modern slavery permeates every aspect of our society. It weaves through our clothing, powers our electronics, and flavors our food. At its core, modern slavery is a manifestation of extreme inequality. It is a mirror of power, reflecting who has it and who does not have it in a given society. Nowhere is this paradox more present than in our global economy through transnational supply chains .”
Grace Forrest, founding director of Walk Free.
Why is modern slavery growing by 2023?
The report highlights the role played by G20 nations in encouraging forced labor within global supply chains, including state-imposed forced labor. The G20 accounts for more than half of all people living in modern slavery and imports $468 billion in risk products annually. The United States was by far the largest importer of risk products ($169.6 billion). . Electronics remained the highest-valued risk product ($243.6 billion), followed by clothing ($147.9 billion), palm oil ($19.7 billion), solar panels ( 14.8 billion USD) and textiles (12.7 billion USD).
The report revealed that six G20 nations are among the countries with the highest number of people in modern slavery, India (11 million), China (5.8 million), Russia (1.9 million), Indonesia (1.8 million), Turkey (1.3 million) and the United States (1.1 million).
The report also shows how climate change has exacerbated modern slavery. Increasingly intense climate events are displacing communities and fueling the risks of modern slavery; while sectors with high risk of forced labor, such as mining, logging and textile/garment manufacturing, contribute to climate degradation. There is growing evidence that renewable industries, vital to the clean energy transition, rely on forced labor.
Modern slavery grows by 2023
Since 2018, the number of people living in modern slavery has risen to 50 million, but government action has stalled, particularly among those with traditionally stronger responses. The global community is even further away from achieving the goals it agreed to prioritize; No government is on track to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 of ending modern slavery, forced labor and human trafficking by 2030.
In recent years, Australia, Canada, Germany and Norway have introduced legislation to hold companies and government accountable for exploitation that occurs in global supply chains. While it is a step in the right direction, G20 countries should use their influence to move from intention to real action.
Forrest added: “ With 50 million people living in modern slavery today, this Global Slavery Index demands immediate action. Walk Free is urging governments around the world to step up their efforts to end modern slavery on their lands and in their supply chains. We know the scale of the problem and have the knowledge and policies necessary to act. What we need now is political will .”
5 actions to tackle modern slavery
Implement stronger measures to combat forced Middle East Mobile Number List labor in public and private supply chains by introducing legislation to prevent governments and companies from obtaining goods or services linked to modern slavery.
Incorporate anti-slavery measures into humanitarian and crisis responses, and ensure that human rights are integrated into efforts to build a green economy.
Prioritize human rights when dealing with repressive regimes, acting with due diligence to ensure that any trade, business or investment does not contribute to or benefit from state-imposed forced labor, even when it occurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China .
Focus on prevention and protection of vulnerable populations by providing primary and secondary education to all children, including girls.
Ensure effective civil and criminal protections in legislation to address forced and child marriage, including raising the age of marriage to 18 for girls and boys, without exceptions.
The news that modern slavery is growing by 2023 reminds us that it is imperative that the international community takes urgent action to address this growing crisis. Coordinated, multi-sectoral action involving governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector is required to address the root causes of modern slavery and ensure the protection of the human rights of all people.
The latest Global Slavery Index, compiled by the human rights group Walk Free, reveals that the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery are North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Russia , Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Global crises drive modern slavery
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), modern slavery refers to any forced labor or service exacted from any person under the threat of any penalty and for which said person has not volunteered. The “private economy” includes all forms of forced labor other than state-imposed forced labor.
In the Americas, more than five million people were living under conditions of modern slavery in 2021, with Venezuela, Haiti and El Salvador leading the region in the number and prevalence of people in modern slavery. The report shows how mass migration driven by political instability, violence and environmental degradation has exacerbated modern slavery, forcing millions of people in the region to migrate in unplanned ways that put them at greater risks of exploitation.
Wealth disparity impacts government responses to modern slavery within the region. The US and Canada, the two richest countries, have taken the greatest steps to address modern slavery in America. However, even in these countries, thousands of people are forced to work or marry, despite high levels of economic development, gender equality, social welfare and political stability, as well as strong criminal justice systems.
“ Modern slavery permeates every aspect of our society. It weaves through our clothing, powers our electronics, and flavors our food. At its core, modern slavery is a manifestation of extreme inequality. It is a mirror of power, reflecting who has it and who does not have it in a given society. Nowhere is this paradox more present than in our global economy through transnational supply chains .”
Grace Forrest, founding director of Walk Free.
Why is modern slavery growing by 2023?
The report highlights the role played by G20 nations in encouraging forced labor within global supply chains, including state-imposed forced labor. The G20 accounts for more than half of all people living in modern slavery and imports $468 billion in risk products annually. The United States was by far the largest importer of risk products ($169.6 billion). . Electronics remained the highest-valued risk product ($243.6 billion), followed by clothing ($147.9 billion), palm oil ($19.7 billion), solar panels ( 14.8 billion USD) and textiles (12.7 billion USD).
The report revealed that six G20 nations are among the countries with the highest number of people in modern slavery, India (11 million), China (5.8 million), Russia (1.9 million), Indonesia (1.8 million), Turkey (1.3 million) and the United States (1.1 million).
The report also shows how climate change has exacerbated modern slavery. Increasingly intense climate events are displacing communities and fueling the risks of modern slavery; while sectors with high risk of forced labor, such as mining, logging and textile/garment manufacturing, contribute to climate degradation. There is growing evidence that renewable industries, vital to the clean energy transition, rely on forced labor.
Modern slavery grows by 2023
Since 2018, the number of people living in modern slavery has risen to 50 million, but government action has stalled, particularly among those with traditionally stronger responses. The global community is even further away from achieving the goals it agreed to prioritize; No government is on track to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 of ending modern slavery, forced labor and human trafficking by 2030.
In recent years, Australia, Canada, Germany and Norway have introduced legislation to hold companies and government accountable for exploitation that occurs in global supply chains. While it is a step in the right direction, G20 countries should use their influence to move from intention to real action.
Forrest added: “ With 50 million people living in modern slavery today, this Global Slavery Index demands immediate action. Walk Free is urging governments around the world to step up their efforts to end modern slavery on their lands and in their supply chains. We know the scale of the problem and have the knowledge and policies necessary to act. What we need now is political will .”
5 actions to tackle modern slavery
Implement stronger measures to combat forced Middle East Mobile Number List labor in public and private supply chains by introducing legislation to prevent governments and companies from obtaining goods or services linked to modern slavery.
Incorporate anti-slavery measures into humanitarian and crisis responses, and ensure that human rights are integrated into efforts to build a green economy.
Prioritize human rights when dealing with repressive regimes, acting with due diligence to ensure that any trade, business or investment does not contribute to or benefit from state-imposed forced labor, even when it occurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China .
Focus on prevention and protection of vulnerable populations by providing primary and secondary education to all children, including girls.
Ensure effective civil and criminal protections in legislation to address forced and child marriage, including raising the age of marriage to 18 for girls and boys, without exceptions.
The news that modern slavery is growing by 2023 reminds us that it is imperative that the international community takes urgent action to address this growing crisis. Coordinated, multi-sectoral action involving governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector is required to address the root causes of modern slavery and ensure the protection of the human rights of all people.