35.8 million people trapped in modern slavery

18 November 2014

Australian NGO has released the Global Slavery Index, registering the prevalence of modern forms of slavery, such as forced labour, human trafficking, forced marriages, debt bondage and commerical sexual exploitation. The WFF is campaigning for the end of slavery within a generation.

WFF has increased its estimate by 23% compared to last year, although the authors of the report are keen to stress that this does not necessarily reflect rising slavery, but may be a result of improved accuracy and methodology. Slavery was found in all 167 countries examined, including the UK.

Five countries accounted for 61% of modern slavery – India with around 14.29 million cases, China with 3.24 million, Pakistan 2.06 million, Uzbekistan 1.2 million, and Russia 1.05 million. Mauritania had the highest proportion of its population in slavery, at 4%, followed by Uzbekistan with 3.97%, Haiti 2.3%, Qatar 1.36% and India 1.14%.

Andrew Forrest, the founder of WFF said, “There is an assumption that slavery is an issue from a bygone era. Or that it only exists in countries ravaged by war and poverty.

“These findings show that modern slavery exists in every country. We are all responsible for the most appalling situations where modern slavery exists and the desperate misery it brings upon our fellow human beings.”

The WFF also monitors government efforts to combat modern slavery. Forrest said, “The first step in eradicating slavery is to measure it. And with that critical information, we must all come together – governments, businesses and civil society – to finally bring an end to the most severe form of exploitation.”

The governments of the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States are faring best at tackling the issue, based on measures such as the criminal justice system, support provided to survivors, and accountability. Only Australia, Brazil and the US, however, are making efforts to address the issue in government procurement and the supply chains of businesses, according to the report.

Commenting on the UK’s forthcoming anti-slavery bill, Olly Buston, WFF’s movement director, said: “There is still a chance that [it] will make Britain’s anti-slavery laws the best in the world. But the draft bill must be strengthened. Children and other victims of slavery need to be properly protected. And the bill must ensure that businesses take action to end slavery in their supply chains”.

Last month the TUC urged cameron to act over the slavery occurring in Qatar; Frances O’Grady said, “Conditions for foreign workers in Qatar, including those building the infrastructure needed for the 2022 World Cup, continue to be of grave concern. Figures confirmed by Qatar show that 964 workers from India and Nepal alone died between 2012 and 2013, a rate of 40 every month…Britain must be part of the international campaign to ensure that Qatar improves living and working conditions for migrant workers.”