Modern slavery has surged over the past five years with 50 million people now trapped in work or marriage against their will, according to a new report.

The report, from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), says the crisis has been exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and global conflicts.

The authors of the report, titled ‘Global Estimates of Modern Slavery’ say the recent crises have heightened the risk of modern slavery and they are concerned the mounting cost of living could worsen the problem even more.

Since 2016, when estimates were last released, the number of people trapped in modern slavery has risen by about 9.3 million, with 28 million living in forced labour – including more than 3.3 million children – and 22 million in forced marriages.

“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. Sadly, the situation is not improving,” the report says.

“Compounding crises… in recent years have led to unprecedented disruption to employment and education, increases in extreme poverty and forced and unsafe migration, and an upsurge in reports of gender-based violence, together serving to heighten the risk of all forms of modern slavery,” it says

The report, compiled by ILO, Walk Free and the International Organisation for Migration, said that that women, children, the poor and minorities are among the most affected.

Migrants are also disproportionately hit, and are three times more likely to be exploited in the workplace than non-migrant adults.

The report also found that, although a global issue, more than half of all forced labour takes place in higher income countries and the vast majority – 86 per cent – in the private sector.

The authors say social care, agriculture and construction are the sectors where forced labour is most prevalent.

An estimated 22 million people were living in forced marriage on any given day in 2021. This indicates an increase of 6.6 million since the 2016 global estimates. 
The true incidence of forced marriage, particularly involving children aged 16 and younger, is likely far greater than current estimates can capture; these are based on a narrow definition and do not include all child marriages. Child marriages are considered to be forced because a child cannot legally give consent to marry. 
Forced marriage is closely linked to long-established patriarchal attitudes and practices and is highly context specific. The overwhelming majority of forced marriages (more than 85 per cent) was driven by family pressure.

Although two-thirds (65 per cent) of forced marriages are found in Asia and the Pacific, when regional population size is considered, the prevalence is highest in the Arab States, with 4.8 people out of every 1,000 in the region in forced marriage. 

The report proposes a number of recommended actions which, taken together and swiftly, would mark significant progress towards ending modern slavery.

They include: improving and enforcing laws and labour inspections; ending state-imposed forced labour; stronger measures to combat forced labour and trafficking in business and supply chains; extending social protection, and strengthening legal protections, including raising the legal age of marriage to 18 without exception.

Other measures include addressing the increased risk of trafficking and forced labour for migrant workers, promoting fair and ethical recruitment, and greater support for women, girls and vulnerable individuals.

See the report here: Global Estimates of Modern Slavery Report