Ending Modern Slavery: Honouring the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Today (23 August), marks the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Established by UNESCO, this day commemorates a pivotal event in history: the uprising of enslaved people on the island of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in 1791 against French colonial rule. This uprising played a crucial role in the eventual abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

The UK officially abolished the slave trade in 1807, ending over two centuries of British involvement in the forced transportation of more than 3.1 million African people, of whom 2.7 million survived the brutal passage to the Americas. However, the abolition of the trade did not mean an immediate end to slavery. Across the British Empire, slavery persisted until the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which finally freed enslaved individuals in most of the Empire. The same Act compensated slave owners for their “loss of property” to the tune of £20 million—a staggering 40% of the government’s expenditure at the time. These payments were made by the British taxpayer, while no reparations have ever been made to those who were enslaved or to the 31 countries where the transatlantic slave trade was practiced.

Modern-Day Slavery: A Continuing Crisis

Despite the formal abolition of slavery in the 19th century, modern slavery has continued to thrive worldwide. In the UK alone, over 12,000 people were referred to local authorities in 2021 as potential victims of modern slavery, though the true number is estimated to be much higher—possibly over 130,000. Globally, nearly 50 million people are believed to be exploited by modern slavery today.

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery encompasses various forms of exploitative labour in which individuals are controlled by others through threats, coercion, or deception. It exists on a spectrum of exploitation, making it challenging to draw a clear line of definition. However, the core elements include forced labour, ownership or control by an ‘employer’, dehumanisation, and restrictions on personal freedom, including the confiscation of identification documents.

Some forms of modern slavery include:

• Exploitation of migrant workers in conditions amounting to slavery
• Slavery within supply chains
• Human trafficking
• Forced labour and bonded labour
• Forced and early marriage
• The worst forms of child labour
• Descent-based slavery

Why Does Modern Slavery Persist?

Like any crime, modern slavery thrives in environments with weak laws, poor enforcement, and limited protection for workers. After 40 years of world-wide neoliberal labour market deregulation, the underfunding of inspectorates and anti-trade union practices, the growth of modern slavery is unsurprising.

The global economy’s complex supply chains, driven by the pursuit of low-cost production and fast turnarounds, create conditions ripe for exploitation. The relentless pressure on suppliers to reduce costs often results in poor labour conditions, poverty wages, and the undermining of workers’ rights, particularly in the Global South. Deregulation, the weakening of trade unions, and the absence of strong labour protections have all contributed to the rise of modern slavery.

High-profile cases such as the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, exploitative labour practices in Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and child labour in the electronics supply chain have exposed the global nature of modern slavery. In response, the UK introduced the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, which requires businesses with an annual turnover of £36 million or more to produce a modern slavery statement. However, the Act has significant limitations: public sector bodies are exempt, and there are no penalties for non-compliance.

Modern Slavery in Public Services: Why It’s an Issue for UNISON

Public services are not immune to exploitation, and UNISON is committed to ensuring fair treatment for all workers, including those vulnerable to modern slavery practices.

A significant concern in the public sector is the exploitation of migrant workers, many of whom are employed on sponsorship visas. These workers often face heightened risks due to their dependence on their employers for both employment and legal status. Migrant workers in healthcare, social care, cleaning, and other public services may be subjected to exploitative working conditions, underpayment, excessive hours, and even threats of deportation if they speak out against their treatment. Employers can leverage these vulnerabilities, making it difficult for workers to resist or leave abusive situations.

Additionally, workers employed through outsourcing and subcontracting arrangements in public services are at risk. With increasing privatisation, many public services are delivered by private companies, often at the lowest possible cost. This can lead to poor working conditions, with workers having little to no bargaining power, making them susceptible to modern slavery practices such as forced labour and bonded labour.

Even when modern slavery is not directly occurring within the UK, public service organisations can still be linked to it through their procurement practices. For example, the sourcing of medical equipment, uniforms, and other essential items could involve suppliers who exploit workers overseas. Without thorough supply chain transparency and ethical procurement policies, public service organisations risk contributing to modern slavery, whether through the production of goods in sweatshops or the exploitation of workers in manufacturing hubs around the world.

Some of the forms of modern slavery that might be found in public services include:

• Exploitation of Migrant Workers: Migrant workers on sponsorship visas may be threatened with revocation of their right to remain in the UK if they do not comply with exploitative demands.
• Outsourced Labour: Workers employed by third-party contractors in public services such as cleaning, catering, and care work can be subjected to low wages, poor working conditions, and excessive hours, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
• Human Trafficking: Trafficked individuals may end up working in public services, especially in sectors like social care and domestic work, where oversight may be limited.