What is meant by "contemporary slavery" or "modern slavery"?

Contemporary slavery, also referred to as modern slavery or neo-slavery, describes institutional slavery that persists in the 21st century, where one person controls another for profit by exploiting a vulnerability.

What are the estimated numbers of people in modern slavery, and why is there a range in these figures?

Estimates for the number of enslaved people range from around 38 million to 49.6 million. This variation exists because there isn't a universally agreed-upon definition of modern slavery, and the enslaved are often difficult to identify, making precise statistics unavailable.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), how many people are estimated to be in some form of slavery today?

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that over 40 million people are in some form of slavery today, based on their definitions.

What are the ILO's figures for forced labor, broken down by type of exploitation?

The ILO estimates that 24.9 million people are in forced labor, with 16 million exploited in the private sector (like domestic work, construction, or agriculture), 4.8 million in forced sexual exploitation, and 4 million in forced labor imposed by state authorities.

What is the ILO's estimate for the number of people in forced marriages?

The International Labour Organization estimates that an additional 15.4 million people are in forced marriages.

How does the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons define 'modern slavery' and 'human trafficking'?

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons defines 'modern slavery' and 'human trafficking' as umbrella terms for recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

What are some other terms used by the US federal government and the UN to describe practices similar to slavery?

Besides 'modern slavery' and 'human trafficking,' other terms used include 'involuntary servitude,' 'slavery' or 'practices similar to slavery,' 'debt bondage,' and 'forced labor'.

What is Kevin Bales' definition of modern slavery?

Kevin Bales, a co-founder of the advocacy group Free the Slaves, defines modern slavery as occurring "when a person is under the control of another person who applies violence and force to maintain that control, and the goal of that control is exploitation."

According to the Walk Free Foundation, what types of practices are included under the umbrella of modern slavery?

The Walk Free Foundation includes forced labor, forced or servile marriage, debt bondage, forced commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, slavery-like practices, and the sale and exploitation of children within its definition of modern slavery.

Why are exact figures for modern slavery difficult to obtain, as noted by Kevin Bales?

Kevin Bales explains that because slavery is officially abolished and illegal everywhere, it is hidden from the public and authorities, making it impossible to get exact figures from primary sources; estimates rely on secondary sources like UN investigations and NGO reports.

What are the primary reasons cited for the persistence and escalation of modern slavery?

Modern slavery persists because it is economically beneficial for enslavers. It has escalated due to the "disposability" of slaves and a significant drop in the cost of acquiring them.

How does contemporary enslavement differ from historical forms in terms of ownership and acquisition?

Unlike historical slavery, contemporary enslavement is illegal and revolves around control rather than legal ownership. It has moved away from the forward purchase of slave labor, and people often become trapped through various means rather than being bought from an existing pool.

What role does poverty and weak governance play in fostering modern slavery?

Poverty, coupled with a lack of education and ineffective rule of law, can create societal conditions that foster the acceptance and propagation of slavery, making it most prevalent in impoverished countries.

How does the cost of slaves in modern slavery compare to historical practices, and what is the implication for exploiters?

The cost of slaves has dropped significantly in modern times, making them easier and cheaper to replace. This contrasts with historical slavery where the cost of keeping a slave healthy was a better investment than replacing them.

What is the estimated annual revenue generated by human trafficking?

The estimated annual revenue from human trafficking was over $150 billion dollars in 2014, although profits are substantially lower.

How does the cost of a slave today compare to the historical cost of an American slave in 1809?

While American slaves in 1809 were sold for the equivalent of around US$40,000 in today's money, a slave can be bought for $90-$100 today.

According to Kevin Bales, what is the primary motivation behind enslavement?

According to Kevin Bales, people do not enslave others to be mean to them, but rather to make a profit, indicating that profit is the primary motivation.

What is chattel slavery, and what are its historical origins?

Chattel slavery, also known as slavery by descent, is a form where the enslaved person is considered the personal property (chattel) of another and can be bought and sold. Historically, it originated from conquest or slave trading, such as in the Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, Saharan, or Atlantic slave trades.

What reports have emerged regarding the sale of enslaved migrants in Libya since its 2014 civil war?

Following the breakdown of law and order in Libya after its 2014 civil war, there have been reports of enslaved migrants being sold in public, including in open slave markets.

What is the situation regarding chattel slavery in Mauritania, despite its illegality?

In Mauritania, chattel slavery was formally made illegal, but the laws against it have largely gone unenforced, with an estimated 90,000 people, or over 2% of the population, still living as slaves.

How can debt bondage be passed down through generations, similar to chattel slavery?

Debt bondage can be passed down to descendants, functioning similarly to chattel slavery, where individuals are trapped in a cycle of labor to repay a debt that is often impossible to clear and may be inherited.

How are individuals in sexual slavery effectively treated in the modern world?

Individuals trapped in sexual slavery in the modern world are often effectively treated as chattel, particularly when they are forced into prostitution.

What is government-forced labor, and what are some examples?

Government-forced labor, or state-sponsored labor, occurs when people are coerced to work through violence, intimidation, or subtler means like debt or retention of identity papers. Examples include Eritrea's indefinite military service program and North Korea's widespread use of forced labor in construction and sweatshops.

What is the situation of indefinite military service in Eritrea, and what other forms of forced labor are reported there?

In Eritrea, an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 people are in an indefinite military service program that amounts to mass slavery, according to UN investigators, who also found evidence of sexual slavery and other forced labor.

How does North Korea utilize forced labor, and what are the estimated numbers of slaves in the country?

North Korea forces many citizens to work for the state, both domestically and abroad, sometimes for many years. The 2018 Global Slavery Index estimated that 2.8 million people were slaves in the country, with workers often unpaid and subjected to dangerous conditions.

What specific types of labor are North Korean youth (*dulgyeokdae*) and women (*inminban*) forced into?

North Korean youth (*dulgyeokdae*) are often forced into dangerous construction work, while *inminban* (women and girl workers) are forced to make clothing in sweatshops, with workers frequently being unpaid.

How has Uzbekistan addressed forced labor in its cotton harvest, and what was the outcome?

Uzbekistan's government has worked to reduce forced labor in cotton harvesting, leading to the lifting of a major boycott in March 2022 upon reports that coerced labor had been almost eliminated.

What is the significance of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution concerning penal labor?

The 13th Amendment, adopted in 1865, banned slavery and involuntary servitude "except as punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted," which provided a legal basis for the continuation of slavery in the form of penal labor in the United States.

In which US states are prisoners not paid at all for their work?

In Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas, prisoners are not paid at all for their work.

What are the consequences for inmates in the US who refuse to work?

Inmates who refuse to work may face indefinite solitary confinement or have their family visitation privileges revoked.

What is bonded labor, also known as debt bondage or peonage?

Bonded labor, or debt bondage, occurs when individuals give themselves into slavery as security for a loan or inherit a debt from a relative. The debt is often designed to be unpayable, trapping people in a cycle of forced labor that can be passed down through generations.

In which countries is bonded labor most commonly found?

Bonded labor is most common in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

Who are the majority of bonded laborers in India?

The majority of bonded laborers in India are Dalits (Untouchables) and Adivasis (tribal people).

How has the Kafala system in the United Arab Emirates contributed to forced labor and human trafficking?

The Kafala system in the UAE ties migrant workers to local sponsors, and outdated laws associated with it have often led to forced labor and human trafficking by exploiting workers' vulnerability and lack of oversight.

What allegations have been made regarding forced migrant labor in Qatar's preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

Allegations include that migrant workers faced issues such as expensive recruitment fees, poor living conditions, delayed or false salaries, being unable to leave, threats, and forced labor, with over 6,500 migrant deaths recorded during stadium construction.

What specific instances of forced labor have been reported in the UK involving Lithuanian men and Vietnamese teenagers?

Lithuanian men were forced to work long shifts as chicken catchers for farms supplying major supermarkets. Vietnamese teenagers have been trafficked to the UK and forced to work in illegal cannabis farms, often facing imprisonment if discovered by police.

What did Operation Blooming Onion reveal about human trafficking and forced labor in Georgia, USA?

Operation Blooming Onion uncovered a human trafficking ring that forced migrant workers from Mexico and Central America into "modern day slavery" on agricultural sites in southern Georgia, where they were allegedly forced at gunpoint to dig for onions and lived in squalid conditions.

How does forced marriage function as a form of slavery, particularly for women and girls?

Forced marriage, often driven by cultural practices where daughters are married off to wealthier families, traps females into lives of servitude to their husbands, frequently fostering environments of abuse.

What is the situation regarding the legal marriage of minors in the United States?

In the US, 48 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico allow the marriage of minors with judicial or parental consent, or if the minor is pregnant, though some states have begun restricting or banning child marriage.

How does child labor differ from slavery, and what are its impacts on children?

While child labor itself is not always considered slavery, it hinders children's education and can involve forced begging or work in industries like cocoa, cotton, or fishing, often involving trafficking and sexual exploitation.

What are the common occupations for modern slaves, besides sex slavery?

Besides sex slavery, modern slaves are often forced into occupations such as small-scale construction, car washing, domestic servitude, nail salons, fishing, manufacturing, and agriculture/forestry.

What signs might indicate that someone is a victim of modern slavery?

Signs include a lack of identity documents, unsuitable clothing, poor living conditions, reluctance to make eye contact or talk, and an unwillingness to seek help.

What actions have governments taken to address modern slavery?

Governments have taken actions such as issuing annual reports like the US State Department's Trafficking In Persons Report, passing legislation like the UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015, and implementing supply chain transparency measures.

Which governments are credited with the strongest response to modern slavery?

The Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Norway are credited with the strongest responses.

Which governments are accused of taking the least action against modern slavery?

North Korea, China, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Hong Kong, Central African Republic, Papua New Guinea, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan are accused of taking the least action.

What is the UN definition of human trafficking?

The UN defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through threat, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or exploitation, for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, servitude, or organ removal.

How are the internet and social media being used by traffickers?

Traffickers use the internet and social media platforms to find vulnerable individuals, and social media and smartphone apps are also used to sell slaves.

What allegations were made regarding the Obama administration's handling of migrant children and human traffickers?

A report alleged that the Obama administration placed migrant children with human traffickers due to inadequate background checks on sponsors, leading to some children being held captive and forced to work.

What private initiatives are working to combat modern slavery?

Private initiatives include the Freedom Fund, which has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives and liberated thousands from slavery, and the Global Modern Slavery Directory, a database of organizations working to end forced labor and human trafficking.

What is the estimated annual revenue generated by the forced labor aspect of modern slavery?

The forced labor aspect of modern slavery generates an estimated $150 billion each year.

What are the top countries with the most slaves, according to the Global Slavery Index (2018)?

According to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, the countries with the most slaves were India (8 million), China (3.86 million), Pakistan (3.19 million), North Korea (2.64 million), Nigeria (1.39 million), Indonesia (1.22 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1 million), Russia (794,000), and the Philippines (784,000).

Slavery In The 21st Century Wiki: Echoes of Bondage: Understanding Modern Slavery

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

What is Modern Slavery?

Defining the Term

Contemporary slavery, also known as modern slavery or neo-slavery, refers to institutional slavery that continues to exist in the 21st century. It is characterized by one person controlling another for profit by exploiting a vulnerability.^[1]

Scale of the Issue

Estimates of the number of enslaved people range widely, from around 38 million to over 49.6 million globally, depending on the definition and estimation methodology used.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5] The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates over 40 million people are in some form of slavery today, with 24.9 million in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriages.^[9]

Key Organizations

Organizations like the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Walk Free Foundation are instrumental in defining and tracking modern slavery.^[11]^[14]

Defining the Terms

Umbrella Terms

Terms like "modern slavery," "trafficking in persons," and "human trafficking" are often used interchangeably. They encompass recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion.^[11]

Legal Definitions

International and national frameworks, such as the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, include terms like "involuntary servitude," "slavery," "debt bondage," and "forced labor."^[12]

Control and Exploitation

A core element, as defined by experts like Kevin Bales, involves a person being under the control of another through violence or force for the purpose of exploitation.^[13]

Underlying Causes

Economic Drivers

Modern slavery is often a profitable economic crime. The low cost of slaves and their disposability make it an attractive, albeit illegal, practice for exploiters.^[16]^[23]

Weak Governance

In countries with poverty, inadequate education, and weak rule of law, societal structures can foster the acceptance and propagation of slavery.^[17]

Vulnerability

Exploitation often targets vulnerable groups, including migrants, children, and marginalized communities, trapping them in slavery-like conditions.^[13]^[17]

Forms of Bondage

Chattel Slavery

This historical form, where individuals are treated as personal property, persists in some regions. It involves buying and selling people, often stemming from conflict or historical slave trades.^[24] Examples include reports from Libya and Mauritania.^[25]^[26]

Government-Forced Labor

State-sponsored labor coercion, often through violence or intimidation, occurs in various countries. Examples include indefinite military service in Eritrea and forced labor programs in North Korea and Uzbekistan.^[27]^[28]^[29]

Prison Labor

The 13th Amendment in the U.S. permits involuntary servitude as punishment for crime, leading to widespread penal labor. This practice is also found in countries like China, the UK, and Australia, often with minimal or no pay.^[37]^[38]

Debt Bondage

Also known as peonage, this occurs when individuals enter servitude to repay a debt, often designed to be unpayable and passed down through generations. It is prevalent in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.^[61]

Forced Migrant Labor

Migrants are lured with false job promises, then have documents seized and are forced to work under threat. This is common in wealthy nations and the Middle East, often involving exploitation in construction, domestic work, or agriculture.^[64]

Sex Slavery

Forced prostitution is a significant form of slavery, particularly in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. It often involves trafficking, especially of children, and can include debt bondage.^[78]

Forced Marriage

Millions of women and girls are forced into marriage, often to much older men, serving their husbands and facing abuse. This practice occurs globally, including in developed nations.^[80]^[82]

Child Labor & Soldiers

Children constitute a significant portion of slaves, engaged in forced begging, domestic work, or even as child soldiers in conflict zones. Child labor, while not always slavery, hinders education and development.^[90]^[93]

Fishing Industry

Workers in the fishing industry, particularly in Thailand, are often trapped on ships for years, bought and sold, and forced to work grueling hours under threat of violence.^[96]

Forced Fraud

In Southeast Asia, "fraud factories" force victims, often trafficked and threatened, to scam people online, particularly concerning cryptocurrencies.^[105]

Occupations of Exploitation

Construction & Labor

Small-scale building work, laying driveways, and general labor are common occupations for enslaved individuals.^[107]

Car Washing

Manual car washing services are frequently operated by forced labor.^[107]

Domestic Servitude

Working in private homes as domestic staff, sometimes including sexual exploitation, is a widespread form of modern slavery.^[107]

Nail Salons

The cosmetic industry, particularly nail salons, has seen victims trafficked for labor, notably from Vietnam to the UK.^[107]

Manufacturing

Inmates in the US and China are forced into manufacturing diverse products, from mattresses to body armor, often for minimal or no pay.^[110]

Agriculture & Forestry

Farming and forestry work is another sector where forced labor is prevalent, particularly involving prisoners.^[110]

Human Trafficking

Global Reach

An estimated 600,000 to 820,000 individuals are trafficked across international borders annually, with women and children disproportionately affected, primarily for sexual exploitation.^[113]

Digital Exploitation

Traffickers increasingly use the internet and social media to find and exploit vulnerable individuals, and even to sell victims.^[115]

Legal Framework

The UN defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for exploitation, including forced labor and sexual exploitation.^[112]

Combating Slavery

Government Actions

Nations are graded on their efforts to combat trafficking. Leading countries include the Netherlands, U.S., UK, and Sweden. The UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Criminal Finances Act 2017 aim to increase transparency and combat related financial crimes.^[119]^[120]

Private Initiatives

Organizations like the Freedom Fund, founded by major anti-slavery donors, work to liberate individuals and provide education. They also maintain databases of organizations fighting modern slavery.^[127]^[128]

Legal Recourse

In the UK, the Supreme Court has ruled that diplomats cannot claim immunity for domestic worker abuse, acknowledging cases as modern slavery and allowing for compensatory claims.^[125]

Global Statistics

Economic Impact

Modern slavery, particularly forced labor, generates an estimated US $150 billion annually.^[130]

Prevalence

In 2018, an estimated 40.3 million individuals were in modern slavery. India, China, and Pakistan had the highest estimated numbers.^[131]^[133]

Corporate Responsibility

Jurisdictions like California, the UK, and Australia require large organizations to publish statements on managing modern slavery risks in their supply chains.^[134]

COVID-19 Impact

Increased Vulnerability

Lockdowns and economic disruption have increased susceptibility to slavery, with mass firings leading some to turn to bonded labor for survival. Vulnerable individuals face heightened risks of grooming and abuse.^[141]^[140]

Disrupted Efforts

Pandemic-related lockdowns have hindered anti-slavery campaigns and support services, limiting outreach and operational capacity.^[140]

New Risks

The pandemic has created new risks, such as workers being confined to workplaces to avoid infection, effectively trapping them, and companies using the situation to exploit workers.^[139]

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Slavery In The 21st Century" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about slavery_in_the_21st_century while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

stamford lincolnshire

sortie

underwriting spot

emblem of sri lanka

References

Siddarth Kara, Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery (New York: Columbia University Press, 2010)

Supang Chantavanich et al., Employment Practices and Working Conditions in Thailand's Fishing Sector(Bangkok: ILO, 2013), p. 75.

Criminal Finances Act 2017

A full list of references for this article are available at the Slavery in the 21st century Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional legal, human rights, or social policy consultation. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Echoes of Bondage

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is Modern Slavery? ℹ️

🔗 Defining the Term

📊 Scale of the Issue

⚖️ Key Organizations

Defining the Terms ⚖️

🤝 Umbrella Terms

📜 Legal Definitions

🔒 Control and Exploitation

Underlying Causes 💡

💰 Economic Drivers

⚖️ Weak Governance

🌐 Vulnerability

Forms of Bondage ⛓️

👤 Chattel Slavery

🏛️ Government-Forced Labor

⚖️ Prison Labor

⏳ Debt Bondage

✈️ Forced Migrant Labor

💔 Sex Slavery

💍 Forced Marriage

👶 Child Labor & Soldiers

🎣 Fishing Industry

💻 Forced Fraud

Occupations of Exploitation 🛠️

🏗️ Construction & Labor

🧼 Car Washing

🏠 Domestic Servitude

💅 Nail Salons

🏭 Manufacturing

🌾 Agriculture & Forestry

Human Trafficking 🚚

🌐 Global Reach

📱 Digital Exploitation

🚨 Legal Framework

Combating Slavery 🛡️

🏛️ Government Actions

🤝 Private Initiatives

⚖️ Legal Recourse

Global Statistics 📈

💰 Economic Impact

🌍 Prevalence

⚖️ Corporate Responsibility

COVID-19 Impact 🦠

📉 Increased Vulnerability

🚫 Disrupted Efforts

⚠️ New Risks

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Modern Slavery?

Defining the Term

Scale of the Issue

Key Organizations

Defining the Terms

Umbrella Terms

Legal Definitions

Control and Exploitation

Underlying Causes

Economic Drivers

Weak Governance

Vulnerability

Forms of Bondage

Chattel Slavery

Government-Forced Labor

Prison Labor

Debt Bondage

Forced Migrant Labor

Sex Slavery

Forced Marriage

Child Labor & Soldiers

Fishing Industry

Forced Fraud

Occupations of Exploitation

Construction & Labor

Car Washing

Domestic Servitude

Nail Salons

Manufacturing

Agriculture & Forestry

Human Trafficking

Global Reach

Digital Exploitation

Legal Framework

Combating Slavery

Government Actions

Private Initiatives

Legal Recourse

Global Statistics

Economic Impact

Prevalence

Corporate Responsibility

COVID-19 Impact

Increased Vulnerability

Disrupted Efforts

New Risks

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice