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The Slavery Research Bulletin: Issue 20, April 2017

April 17, 2017 / Bulletin The Freedom Fund / @freedom_fund

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.

Effects of programs and policies on reducing child labour

The World Bank’s review of 31 impact evaluations finds that reducing household vulnerability tends to have a positive effect on child labour. In particular, transfers (conditional or not, in cash or in kind) reduced child labour in most cases. However, the authors also note the limited evidence available, especially studies that examine impact on girls’ household chores and the worst forms of children labour.

Excessive recruitment fees paid by workers in the Gulf construction industry

Research by New York University’s Center for Business and Human Rights reveals that most migrant workers in the Gulf construction industry bear the cost of their own recruitment, typically equivalent to 10-18 months of salary. The report calls on corporate clients to absorb the full cost of recruitment and Gulf governments to strengthen prosecution of brokers who violate immigration laws.

Experiences of trafficked domestic workers in the U.S.

Based on 110 cases of trafficked domestic workers in the U.S., the Beyond Survival campaign reports that 66% of survivors have experienced physical or sexual abuse and 62% have had identity documents illegally withheld. The campaign group recommends strengthening regulation by including the sector in federal statues, improving access to legal services and holding traffickers accountable for exploitation.

The role of financial institutions in disrupting human trafficking  

Drawing on government records and interviews with 15 experts from financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, the Royal United Services Institute highlights the financial sector’s role in disrupting human trafficking crimes. Success relies heavily on cross-sector sharing of intelligence to ensure relevant screening and investigations into suspicious clients and financial transactions.

Evolving nature of human trafficking in Cebu City, Philippines

Researchers in Cebu City examine the downward trend in the number of human trafficking victims identified by the authorities, 94% of whom are women and 18% are children. Increased law enforcement activities in Cebu City may have led to the growth of cottage industries in surrounding areas, including home-based brothels and web porn businesses.

Read on…

  • The Migrating Out of Poverty consortium investigates the multiple and often contradictory roles of migration brokers in Ghana and shows how migrants use brokers to further their own agendas.
  • Polaris analyses over 32,000 cases of human trafficking and identifies 25 different types of human trafficking in the U.S., each with its own business model and recruitment strategy.
  • The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion explores the tools, frameworks, and strategies that can improve the lives of 10 million stateless persons worldwide, including 3 million children.

And finally

The Ethical Trading Initiative’s course on the Modern Slavery Act is running in June and November 2017. Click here to sign up.

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