More

    The Discourse on Modern Forms of Slavery Needs to be Mainstreamed

    CountriesAsia PacificThe Discourse on Modern Forms of Slavery Needs to...
    - Advertisment -

    The Discourse on Modern Forms of Slavery Needs to be Mainstreamed

    Due to the hierarchical and inter-generational discrimination they have faced, communities discriminated on work and descent have been and continue to be subjected to forced labour, bonded labour and other contemporary forms of slavery.

    By Paul Divakar Namala

    One of the overriding threats facing women and children in the South Asian regions is the risk of being driven into forced labour and trafficking because of their identity as Dalits. The threats of these sorts are not new to the communities discriminated on work and decent, including Dalits. However, the scale and severity have reached new proportions.

    Modern slavery occurs in a variety of situations in which victims are exploited for personal or commercial or sexual gain and warfare situations by the perpetrators. Among the forms of forced labour are bonded labour, debt bondage, forced child labour, sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, domestic servitude and unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers. According to the 2021 global estimates of modern slavery, 50 million people were living in modern slavery. Among them, 28 million were in forced labour and 22 million were trapped in forced marriage. The number of people in contemporary slavery has risen significantly in the past five years. 10 million more people were in modern slavery in 2021 compared to the 2016 global estimates.

    The increasing number of victims of contemporary slavery suggest the need for effective implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 8.7 which is dedicated to eradicating forced labour, ending modern slavery and human trafficking and securing the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour by 2025. Modern slavery poses a severe threat to the fundamental human rights of the affected people, particularly the CDWD. It pushes them into a vulnerable condition where they forced to compromise their rights to a dignified life.

    Research studies conducted exclusively in Nepal, Bangladesh and India have for long examined the manifestations of contemporary forms of slavery in the varied forms prevalent among CDWD. The issues are different – forced labour and trafficking among Baadi, Haliya, Harwa and Charwa community chiefly observed in Nepal; in Bangladesh, mainly Dalit communities working in the plantation sector in Bangladesh; and, Dalit communities engaged in manual scavenging works besides other forced forms of work in India are few that can be named

    - Advertisement -

    Millions trapped in forced labour, trafficking

    A discourse around modern forms of slavery is important. Due to the hierarchical and generational discrimination they have faced, communities discriminated on work and descent have been and continue to be subject to forced labour, bonded labour and other contemporary forms of slavery. There are many dimensions of modern slavery and discrimination based on work and descent and its varied forms in the South Asian context. However, the much explored nexus between these communities and contemporary or modern slavery has to be highlighted by civil society.

    The relevance of such a discourse cannot be gainsaid. Today millions of children and adults are victims of modern slavery worldwide. Most of this exploitation is happening in the specific sections of work where millions of people are trapped in forced labour and trafficking. It is high time that the affected communities unite to fight against slavery and uphold their dignity. Civil society needs to engage in further research and advocacy to combat and eradicate forced labour and trafficking among communities discriminated on work and descent.

    Paul Divakar Namala is the Convenor of the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, across South Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest news

    In Rajya Sabha: Multi-Model Ensemble for Monsoon Forecast and Climate Resilience

    The MMCFS and MME forecasts are updated every month to satisfy the demands from different users and government authorities for the forecasts of the spatial distribution of monthly and seasonal rainfall along with the regionally averaged rainfall forecasts for better regional planning of activities.

    Why has Balochi Insurgency become big news?

    Despite being rich in natural resources such as natural gas, coal, gold, and copper, Balochistan remains one of the poorest regions in Pakistan. The benefits of resource extraction projects largely bypass the local population, fuelling resentment.

    Sri Lanka to Amend IMF-Backed Electricity Act Amid Policy Shift

    While the previous government’s reforms aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency, and private sector involvement, the Dissanayake administration appears to be prioritising a different approach, potentially curbing or modifying privatisation efforts.

    In Lok Sabha: Kisan Rail Facilitates Swift Transport of Perishables from Surplus Regions to Markets

    By shifting perishable transportation from road to rail, Indian Railways is not only improving supply chain efficiency but also contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.
    - Advertisement -

    In Rajya Sabha: Women’s Safety Measures Under Umbrella Scheme being Strengthened, says Bandi Sanjay Kumar

    Over 34,626 officials have received specialised training on DNA evidence management and the use of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits, with 18,020 kits distributed across States/UTs.

    In Rajya Sabha: Pilot Project Launched for World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector

    India faces a significant challenge in foodgrain storage, with a substantial gap between production and storage capacity, leading to potential losses and impacting food security.

    Must read

    In Rajya Sabha: Multi-Model Ensemble for Monsoon Forecast and Climate Resilience

    The MMCFS and MME forecasts are updated every month to satisfy the demands from different users and government authorities for the forecasts of the spatial distribution of monthly and seasonal rainfall along with the regionally averaged rainfall forecasts for better regional planning of activities.

    Why has Balochi Insurgency become big news?

    Despite being rich in natural resources such as natural gas, coal, gold, and copper, Balochistan remains one of the poorest regions in Pakistan. The benefits of resource extraction projects largely bypass the local population, fuelling resentment.
    - Advertisement -

    More from the sectionRELATED
    Recommended to you