Slavery flourishes as we look the other way
For many of us, slavery may be something that happened in the past. In fact, slavery is more widespread and affects higher numbers now than ever before.
While there was relief from slavery via 19th-century reforms in some countries, it continued in others.
Slavery is not as obvious today as it once was. Today it comes in many guises and is largely hidden. Slavery is human-trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, child slavery, child soldiers, child marriages, descent-based slavery, domestic slavery, exploitation of migrant workers, slavery in supply chains. Slavery can be described as one person in control of the life of another person. A slave is one who is forced to work without his/her consent and then unable to leave the situation.
Slaves are forced to work by physical or mental threat, and are owned or controlled by an “employer,” dehumanized, treated as a commodity, bought and sold as property, physically constrained or with restrictions placed on their movements.
Slavery is everywhere, but occurs primarily in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. There are an estimated 45 millions slaves worldwide. At the height of slavery in the 19th century, there were about 14 million. We have no numbers for Canada.
Slavery is a globalized industry. It is the second largest criminal activity behind drug trafficking. It is estimated to be worth US$150 billion in profit annually.
What can be done? What can we do?
We can begin by informing ourselves about it. We can support efforts to make a difference, both locally and internationally through organizations such as Global Freedom Network, International Justice Mission and Antislavery International. These organizations aim to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate those who are enslaved; to protect the vulnerable and most likely victims and to prosecute the perpetrators. The most demanding task is to end slavery.
What can be done? Raise awareness. Look around you to detect any signs of enslavement locally. Businesses need to check their supply chain to see if any of their products are made by forced labour.
The problem for those of us wanting to make ethical choices about our purchases is that we don’t know who produces the goods. Consumers are largely detached from their clothing and food and from the people who produce it. It happens elsewhere, so we don’t see it.
Companies are either unwilling or unable to share this information. A few countries, like the U.K., have taken steps to change this. Recent legislation requires companies to publish an annual statement declaring the steps the company has taken during the year to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in any of its supply chains or in any part of its own business.
A report by World Vision estimates that $34 billion worth of goods in Canada is produced by child or forced labour. At least half of these companies ignore or hide what is going on. We need supply chain transparency legislation. It would be a first step in holding companies accountable and in informing consumers what is behind what they buy.
The Quakers (Society of Friends) were the first organization in Britain and North America to condemn slavery and to work for its eradication. John Woolman, a Quaker leader in the American colonies, refused to use products from slave labour. In protesting against slavery, he stopped wearing dyed suits because the dye was made by slaves. He refused to eat sugar and molasses made by slave labour. He preached that we should not desire comforts and conveniences that came from slave labour.
Sometimes, I ask if my food and clothes come from slave labour. The same question can be asked of many items we use. The situation, in part, comes about by our lifestyle. We are always looking for the low price, not thinking that our purchases may come from the hands of slaves.
In the struggle against slavery, William Wilberforce wrote in 1791: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know.”
Everett Hobbs Conception Bay South