What it is
Modern slavery happens when people are forced to work and cannot leave because of threats, violence, or deception. Slavery is not always about physical chains; often, it involves invisible control imposed by dishonest employers, human traffickers, corrupt labour brokers, and criminal networks who take away passports or use unfair debt.
Today, over 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide. This includes forced labour in factories, farms, and homes, human trafficking, and forced marriage. Modern slavery is a severe violation of human rights. It happens in almost every country, including developed nations: Vulnerable people are exploited for economic profit and cheap production. Other types of slavery involve forced sex work, forced crime, and unpaid work in private homes.
Personal stories
(Content warning: The following personal stories mention forced labour, debt bondage, physical threats, and emotional distress.)
Lina’s story: Lina left her home village after a recruitment agency promised her a well-paying job at a garment factory in a large city. To cover the agency’s high placement fees, she had to take out a large loan. However, when she arrived at the factory, the manager took away her passport and forced her to work 16 hours a day sewing clothes for international brands. The company refused to pay her full wages, claiming the money was being used to pay off her travel debt.
Trapped inside the factory compound and unable to leave, Lina lived in constant fear. Fortunately, a labour inspection team audited the factory, discovered the forced labour conditions, and reported the employer to local authorities. With the help of a trades union, Lina recovered her passport, received her unpaid wages, and safely returned home.
Carlos’s story: Carlos moved to a coastal region to work on a commercial fishing boat after a local broker promised regular wages to help him support his family. Once at sea, the boat captain took away Carlos's identification papers and forced the crew to work up to 20 hours a day in dangerous weather.
For nearly two years, the ship stayed far offshore, and Carlos received no salary or medical care. The captain threatened to abandon anyone who complained at a foreign port. When the boat finally docked for emergency repairs, Carlos managed to contact a worker support group using a borrowed mobile phone. The group alerted local port authorities, who rescued the crew, helped them recover their unpaid wages, and arranged their safe travel home.
Some broader issues
Supply chains and cheap production: Global companies often seek the lowest production costs to increase profits in international markets. To meet these demands, local suppliers may cut costs by using forced labour to make everyday goods like clothes, seafood, and electronics. Enforcing strict supply chain inspections forces businesses to pay fair wages and eliminate forced labour.
Vulnerable workers and debt bondage: Poor communities, ethnic minorities, and migrant workers face the highest risk of forced labour. Migrant workers who leave home to escape poverty often take on high recruitment fees and face severe language barriers. Eliminating illegal recruitment fees protects vulnerable workers from falling into dangerous debt bondage.
Foreign worker programmes and legal risks: Government programmes created to solve local labour shortages can sometimes leave foreign workers vulnerable to unfair control. When workers are legally tied to one employer or owe large fees, dishonest managers can use these rules to trap them. Updating labor laws to allow workers to change jobs easily prevents employers from abusing their power.
Corporate laws and accountability: Governments are passing new laws that require large corporations to investigate their global suppliers for human rights abuses. These regulations force businesses to publish regular safety reports and inspect their overseas factories. Public accountability from corporations ensures that suppliers treat all employees fairly.
Technology and community action: Modern technology plays a vital role in identifying human trafficking and helping workers report abuse safely. Non-governmental organisations use satellite images, online reporting tools, and mobile apps to track illegal operations. Combining digital tools with local community education helps citizens spot and report warning signs of exploitation.
Systemic changes and fair wages: Ending modern slavery requires long-term system changes rather than just arresting individual traffickers. Governments and businesses must work together to guarantee living wages, safe working conditions, and strong legal protections. Consumers can also help by choosing ethical products from companies that respect international human rights.
[1] Government policy: 人身取引対策
[2] Survivor voices: 人身取引被害者の声
[3] Statistics and facts: International Labour Organization. (6 September 2015). Modern Slavery: Myths & Facts. https://www.ilo.org/resource/modern-slavery-myths-facts
[4] Physical and verbal abuse: The Mainichi. (24 August 2026). Myanmar workers describe abuse, living 'in fear' at Hokkaido farm. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260824/p2a/00m/0na/011000c
[5] Global trade: Anti-Slavery International. (2026). Slavery in supply chains. https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/slavery-in-global-supply-chains/
[1] Definitions and concepts: Britannica/Open University. (2026). Know about slavery, human trafficking, and the elements of human trafficking. (4 minutes 14 seconds). https://www.britannica.com/video/slavery-human-trafficking-Europe/-206099
[2] Migrant rights: ILO. (16 June 2026). A migrant domestic worker’s journey to empowerment. (1 minute 59 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlYpmCXzFpQ
[3] Modern slavery in Australia: ABC News (Australia). (18 December 2021). Hidden in plain sight — modern slavery in Australia. (2 minutes 10 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_cdQEiDeIc
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