WHAT IS MODERN-DAY SLAVERY?

Modern-day slavery, also known as or used interchangeably with terms like slavery, forced labour, bonded labour, child labour and human trafficking, it refers to the conditions where a person’s freedom is restricted while they are forced to render labour or services, regardless of compensation.

It takes place in both developed and developing countries; within national boundaries and across international borders.

Singapore is currently a Tier 2 country on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons report 2018, signifying our country does not fully meet the international standards for the elimination of trafficking. However, the Singapore Government has been making significant efforts to do so, beginning with the establishment of the Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons in 2010.

Types of modern-day slavery

Sex Trafficking
The use of coercion or force to transport an unwilling person into prostitution or other sexual exploitation. With an estimated 250,000 women and children in Asia trafficked for sex, victims often suffer irreparable psychological trauma and physical damage.

Domestic Servitude
An estimated two million Asian women migrate to other countries to seek work and a better life for their families back home. However, some are subject to abuse and exploitation – like long hours, insufficient nourishment, and no time off – behind closed doors.

Construction Workers
Recruited by agencies and often debt-laden even before they start work, these workers are forced to accept unreasonable working and living conditions – such as working for more than 16 hours, like long hours, little pay, and poor living quarters – different from what was originally agreed.

Factory Workers
In order to produce more merchandise at a lower cost, factories often force workers, some as young as 12, to work longer hours with little or no pay, and sometimes in poor and unsafe environments.

HOW MANY SLAVES WORK FOR YOU?

Modern-day slavery and human trafficking may sound distant or a foreign issue to most of us.

Perhaps we think that because of the misconception that assumes human trafficking only takes place in developing countries.

The truth: Human trafficking affects every country in the world, and Singapore is not spared.

Economic globalisation has given rise to a vast amount of economically competitive goods, which can only be produced sustainably with the help of cheap labour.

In Singapore, most of what we have is imported

Ranging from the food we consume to the clothing we wear, and even the electronic products we use, there is a high chance that some of these products were made by suppliers who employ slave labour.

How you can help

You can make a difference and a change – even if you are just an individual.

You can begin by making a change in your life, starting with your consumption patterns.

You can help to raise awareness by talking about the issue.

Furthermore, you can be an advocate for legislation change.

Or simply support anti-trafficking organisations financially or by volunteering your time and skills with them.

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About what you can do