Climate change and Covid Pandemic have been contributing factors towards the rise in the number of people in forced labour or marriages by 10 million between 2016 and 2021.
According to a United Nations study published on Monday, Some 50 million people are stuck in forced labour or forced marriage. According to the study by UN, the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in the risk of slavery. A study by the UN’s agencies for labour and migration and Walk Free Foundation, found that at the end of 2021, forced labour trapped 28 million people and 22 million people were in forced marriages.
Modern slavery
Modern slavery exists in almost every country of the world. More than 50% cases of forced labour and one-fourth cases of forced marriage are present in upper-middle income or high income countries. The report mentioned that it is a long-term problem and cautioned that being stuck in forced labour can last for years and forced marriage is often “a life sentence.”
The most vulnerable are women and children. The report indicated that Children are present in one out of five people in forced labour and more than half of them are trapped in commercial sexual exploitation.
Antonio Vitorino, head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that the report emphasises on the urgent need of ensuring that all migration is safe, orderly and regular.https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/50-million-people-trapped-in-modern-slavery-says-un-3336789
Credit: India Blooms
