Each week the Freedom Fund compiles the most insightful and timely news stories about modern slavery. Check out what we’re reading among this week’s top slavery articles.

Australian businesses unaware of slavery in supply chains, inquiry told
Sydney Morning Herald, 1 August 2017
Australian businesses are not doing enough to tackle slavery in their supply chains, a federal inquiry has heard, but big companies have argued against “overly prescriptive” laws in a bid to stamp out the problem.

Thousands of Ethiopians return home from Saudi Arabia
Africa News, 1 August 2017
Up to 70,000 Ethiopians have returned home from Saudi Arabia after authorities there issued notice for undocumented workers to leave the country or face arrest. Many of those that have come back to Ethiopia were house maids or nannies and reported working under tough conditions.

‘Human life is more expendable’: why slavery has never made more money
The Guardian, 31 July 2017
New research shows modern slavery is more lucrative than it has ever has been, with sex traffickers reaping the greatest rewards. Slave traders today make a return on their investment 25 to 30 times higher than their 18th- and 19th-century counterparts, according to Harvard economist Siddharth Kara.

Bangladesh to digitally map supply chain to tackle garment sector abuse
The Independent, 31 July 2017
Bangladesh, the second largest garment producing country in the world, will digitally map its entire garment industry in the first such initiative to bring transparency in the supply chain in an effort to stop abuses.

Pope calls for greater commitment to fight human trafficking
ABC News, 30 July 2017
Pope Francis is urging the world to show a greater commitment to fighting human trafficking, which he called “a form of modern slavery.” The pope made the appeal during his traditional Sunday prayer on the UN’s world day against trafficking.

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