Welcome to the Slavery Research Bulletin, the Freedom Fund’s monthly brief designed to bring you new & compelling research from the global anti-slavery movement.
Up to 23 percent of undocumented migrants in Thailand were trafficked
A comprehensive report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime about human trafficking from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar to Thailand finds that up to 23 percent of its irregular workers could be classified as victims of trafficking. The report notes that governments must actively promote safe migration in order to counteract trafficking.
20 EU countries see rise in modern slavery risks
According to the Modern Slavery Index by Verisk Maplecroft, modern slavery risks have risen in nearly three quarters of the European Union’s member states over the past year. Romania, Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Bulgaria are the five EU countries posing the highest risk, as they are key entry points for migrants who are extremely vulnerable to exploitation.
Food companies must improve grievance mechanisms for abuses
KnowTheChain released a new assessment of 10 food and beverage companies detailing how they tackle forced labour risks in sugarcane supply chains. The survey found that while some companies have assessed risks and set targets, all companies in the study need to significantly improve grievance mechanisms and access to remedy.
Unsafe work and child labour rampant in Indian granite quarries
New research commissioned by the India Committee of the Netherlands on southern India’s granite quarries finds that 70 percent of the workforce are casual day labourers, most of whom are without safety equipment, insurance or an employment contract. The report recommends human rights due diligence by granite companies, greater enforcement of labour laws and strengthening of the EU’s public procurement policy.
U.S. state laws exacerbate child marriage
A report released by the Tahirih Justice Center reveals how U.S. state laws are contributing to child marriage in America. Twenty-five states do not set a minimum age at which a person can get married, and eight more set it at an age lower than 16. Even though a judge’s approval is required for a minor to marry, the report finds that this requirement fails to prevent the exploitation of children.
Read on…
- Research by the International Labour Organization details the wages and conditions of domestic workers in Pakistan’s informal economy.
- As Australia considers a Modern Slavery Act, the Australian parliament released an interim report on modern slavery and global supply chains.
- A new report by the United Nations University puts forth 25 proposals for strengthened action by the financial sector to break the financial bonds of modern slavery.
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