With regard to the global rise in modern slavery

To Whom It May Concern,

Globally, there is a rise in modern slavery, which is comprised of two components such as forced labour and forced marriage that are indicative of situations where a person cannot refuse or cannot leave because of several reasons such as threats, violence, deception, abuse of power or any other forms of coercion. According to available sources, including the International Labour Organization, modern slavery has recently increased and around fifty million people are currently trapped in either forced labour or forced marriages in the world. Among them, about 27.6 million people are in forced labour while around 22 million people are in forced marriages. It is undeniable that the global rise of forced labour and forced marriages have become a cause for concern.

No doubt, modern slavery exists in developed, developing and less developed countries. According to available sources, more than half of cases of forced labour and a quarter of forced marriages belong to upper-middle-income or high-income countries. But the causes of modern slavery are not unknown at all. Indeed, there are many reasons that increase the the vulnerability and chance of being forced into labours and marriages including wars and civil wars, natural disasters and unjust national plans and policies. Of course, the Corvirus pandemic that heavily affected economic activities increased the economic vulnerability among many, along with the recent risk of being forced labourers. Moreover, some other reasons including a lack of understanding increase the chance of being the target of human trafficking, forced labour and forced marriage.

Notably, efforts are enormous to end modern slavery. Along with government organizations, other organizations are fighting against modern slavery, which is related to a range of complicated challenges that make it difficult to be eradicated. Yet, it is desired that global efforts are continued to end it. Of course, human trafficking needs to be ended but it is important to put an emphasis on addressing the underlying social, economic and political causes of increased vulnerability and modern slavery.

Amir M Sayem
Founder and Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine