By The International Labour Organization (ILO), Walk Free, and International Organization for Migration

Modern slavery is the very antithesis of social justice and sustainable development. The 2021 Global Estimates indicate there are 50 million people in situations of modern slavery on any given day, either forced to work against their will or in a marriage that they were forced into. This number translates to nearly one of every 150 people in the world. The estimates also indicate that situations of modern slavery are by no means transient – entrapment in forced labour can last years, while in most cases forced marriage is a life sentence. And sadly, the situation is not improving. The 2021 Global Estimates show that millions more men, women, and children have been forced to work or marry in the period since the previous estimates were released in 2017.

Geneva: International Labour Organization (ILO), Walk Free, and International Organization for Migration, 2022. 144p.

By Greenpeace Southeast Asia

For several years now, international media has shone a spotlight on the inhumane working conditions of migrant fishers from Southeast Asia. The vessels they work on reportedly use destructive, illegal, and unreported methods, which take a heavy toll on the health and viability of our already fragile oceans. By the fishers’ own accounts, lured by promises of higher wages, many find themselves indebted to shady brokers and employment agencies. Through salary deductions, as indicated in their payment schedules, Indonesian migrant fishers have to pay guarantee deposits and processing costs, far in excess of the amounts they were expecting, for the first 6 to 8 months of their employment. As a result, they often work ridiculous hours in one of the world’s most dangerous industries, for little or no pay. This alone suggests modern slavery, but the issues at hand are multifarious and just as heart-wrenching. Isolation at sea for months, even years, makes escape difficult and often impossible. According to the Taiwan Fisheries Agency, as of June 2019, some 21,994 migrant fishers from Indonesia and 7,730 from the Philippines are reportedly working on Taiwanese distant water fishing vessels. These two countries combined represent the majority of migrant fishers on Taiwan’s distant water fleets – a USD2 billion industry and one of the top five distant water fishing fleets on the high seas.

Dwindling fish populations are forcing vessels to seek fish further and further out to sea, which results in higher operation costs and increases the possibility of violation and exploitation of migrant fishers who endure backbreaking work just to make a living. The fates of migrant fishers remain uncertain because the crimes they allege that were committed against them usually happen out in the open sea, far away from the scrutiny of regulators who might ensure their proper working conditions and safety.

Bangkok: Greenpeace Southeast Asia, 2019. 52p.

By Clifford Griffith Roe.

There is not a life that this social evil does not menace. There is not a daughter, or a sister, who may not be in danger. The startling details with which this book must deal and tell the truth may seem revolting, and yet our unwillingness in the past to discuss these very things and our attempt at concealment has unwittingly allowed this horrible business to grow to monstrous proportions. In mentioning specific immoral places we have advisedly omitted their names and locations that such places may not be advertised through us. Likewise the surnames of girls who have been victims of the slave traders are omitted and fictitious given-names substituted for very obvious reasons. Therefore, earnestly believing that only through education can the procurers of girls be finally exterminated and the foulest slavery the world has ever known be blotted out, we have in the following pages written fearlessly and honestly the truth concerning the white slave traffic, and have brought out clearly and thoroughly the schemes and artifices of the panders.

Chicago: L.W. Walter, Co., 1911. 448p.

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By E. Norine Law.

Immorality not only clouds and destroys the intellect, It brings physical disease and decay, as well as spiritual death. The conditions of social vice and sexual impurity in exist- ence to-day in the United States are horrible, pitiable andalarming. We must try to cause an arrest of thought and teach a higher grade of ideals or no one can foresee what the awful results will be. Indeed, the sickening tales of impurity and sexual vice that can be told are enough to frighten every person really interested in saving the people from destruction. Not only the present but the future welfare of our people are at stake.

Harrisburg, PA: United Evangelical Publishing House, 1909. 199p.

By Theo. A. Bingham.

 This story is one of many that could be told to illustrate the sin- ister fact that every year thousands of young girls disappear from their homes in the cities or go from the small towns to the cities and drop out forever from all knowledge of their families. What becomes of them? Where do they go? Why do they go ? Into whose hands do they fall ? Some of them go down to nameless graves, but more go to a fate infinitely worse. What that fate is we all know, in a vague way at least; but, unfortunately, few of us are willing to realize that the thing is of any real concern to us personally. Not because we are heartless or cold or selfish do we Americans ignore the fact that we have a terrible social problem at our doors. No; our unwillingness to look the facts squarely in the face is due solely to inherited Puritanism. We have allowed ourselves to become con- vinced that we are morally superior to the people of Europe. Our belief in our superior purity is founded on ignorance or hypocrisy. We have made laws saying that the social evil shall not exist. Then we thoroughly blindfold ourselves and raise our hands in horror at any mention of the subject. The plain, shocking facts are that this American attitude encourages the growth and spread of vice. It makes it possible for a girl to disappear from your town, from your own neighborhood, and be drawn into the net of the underworld. And until we overcome our timidity and hypocrisy and go after the situation frankly, vigorously, and openly, the social evil will continue to grow. It thrives on secrecy and hypocrisy.

Read-Me.org classic reprint. Boston: R.G. Badger, 1913, 87p.