Welcome to the second Social Justice Issues post. I have decided to do things a bit differently with this post (and probably future posts) as I will be focusing on one issue but in more detail, instead of briefly explaining multiple issues (hence no longer including “Digest” in the title). This post will focus on a global issue that we are all in someway associated with: modern slavery.
Slavery surrounds us every day, it is intertwined in our lives. We eat it, scroll on it, earn a living on it, clothe ourselves with it, get our cars washed by it, get manicures done by it. We are all connected to some of the 40 million people in modern slavery today.
In 2020 it was revealed that workers in garment factories in Leicester who tested positive for covid-19 infection were forced to continue working, risking their long-term health and their lives (Labour Behind the Label, 2020). The exploitation of workers in these factories prior to 2020 was already known, as it had been reported that they were paid below minimum wage, at £3.00 an hour, and were subjected to illegal working conditions (Labour Behind the Label, 2020). The National Crime Agency annouced in 2020 that they would assess the information regarding the allegations of modern slavery and exploitation in the factories (National Crime Agency, 2020).
“Slavery is an umbrella term for activities involved when one person obtains or holds another person in compelled service.”
Unseen
Labour exploitation in garment factories is a small drop in the ocean of modern slavery practices. There are many types of modern slavery, some of the most common types include human trafficking, forced labour, child labour and debt bondage (Anti-Slavery International). Although any person may be subjected to modern slavery, some people are made to be more vulnerable. For example, migrants are particularly vulnerable in the UK as they do not have sufficient protection, they may be uninformed of the rights they do have and/or experience language barriers (Ireland; CORE, 2017). Children may also be more vunlerable to exploitation due to, for example, poverty and political instability (CORE, 2017).
Exploitative practices are echoed in businesses and supply chains globally, with workers being subjected to violence, unsafe working and living conditions, long working hours and low wages. The industries where modern slavery has been detected include, but are not limited to, cocoa, tea, electronics, jewelry and palm oil. In the United Kingdom, modern slavery has been detected in businesses a person would commonly use, including car washes, nail salons, hotels, shops, bars, as well as at recyling centres and construction sites. According to the Modern Slavery Policy Unit, “there could be at least 100,000 people” subjected to modern slavery in the UK, although “the actual number is likely greater” (Modern Slavery Policy Unit, 2020).
Making people more vulnerable to modern slavery is climate change. People are being forced to move from their homes and either remain in their home country or cross an international border, becoming displaced as a result of the climate crisis (UNHCR; Climate Refugees). Those who are already refugees, internally displaced or otherwise marginalised are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and, consequently, forced displacement (UNHCR; Anti-Slavery International). Research by Anti-slavery International has found that people are commonly forced into displacement as a result of “loss of crops due to flodding, the death of livestock due to sudden freezes and scarcity of water” (Anti-Slavery International). As a result of their displacement, they become more vulnerable to exploitation (Anti-Slavery International).
These exploitative practices in turn contribute to the climate crisis (Anti-Slavery International). For example, a report published by The University Of Nottigham’s Rights Lab states, in regards to fisheries in Thailand, “a complex, cyclical and two-way relationship can be conceptualised: increasing decline of fish stocks in Thai waters and the international demand for cheap seafood is leading to worsening abusive and exploitative conditions for fishing labourers, often in the form of debt-bondage, which later perpetuates and enables further overfishing and ecosystem decline in fisheries…” (The University of Nottigham Rights Lab, 2018). The report also highlights that many of the workers in the Thai fishing industry who are exploited are migrants, many of whom have been displaced as a result of natural disasters (The University of Nottigham Rights Lab, 2018).
The devastating interrelated cyclical relationship between modern slavery and the climate crisis is driven by the desire for profit. In 2014, it was estimated that modern slavery produces $150 billion globally each year (International Labour Office, 2014). At this time, it was estimated that 21 million people were subjected to modern slavery, including children (International Labour Office, 2014). Eight years later, it is now estimated that 40 million people are subjected to modern slavery practices and it is therefore likely that the profits generated are significantly higher (Anti-Slavery International). The commodification of human lives in order to generate profit is something we all should, at the very least, be aware of and let influence our purchasing habits.
Resources
Reports and Resources (Unseen)
It Still Happens Here: Fighting UK Slavery in the 2020s (Modern Slavery Policy Unit)
Modern slavery reporting: Is there evidence of any progress? (2018, Ergon)
From a Vicious to a Virtuous Circle (Anti-Slavery International)
Modern Slavery, Hidden in Plain Sight, Kate Garbers, TedxExeter (video)
The Blogging Hijabi 
Leave a comment