The Crime That Circles The Globe 3

  The office to Monitor & Combat Trafficking in Persons agency of the United States Department of State says that modern slavery, the trafficking in persons for the use of recruiting, harboring, transporting , providing or obtaining a person for compelled labor or sex acts, through force or coercion.

  Most causes that contribute to this heinous activity are: most often poverty, lack of education, economic freedom, the rule of law and poor societal structure. All of these can create an environment that fosters the acceptance and propagation of slavery. Of course, this is most prevalent in impoverished nations with vulnerable minority communities, although it does exist in developed countries. Tens of thousands toil in slave like conditions in various industries, such as mining, farming and factories, producing goods for domestic consumption or to export to more prosperous nations. Be cause of these factors, slavery continues and will continue to expand, unfettered by international efforts to stop it. The sweat shops making the Nikes everyone loves.

  In older forms of slavery, slave owners spent more on procuring slaves. The cost of keeping them healthy was considered a better investment than having to replace the slave. In modern times, slaves are easier to get at a lower price, so replacing them when exploiters run into problems becomes easier. Modern slaves can be quite profitable and corrupt governments tacitly allow it, despite being outlawed by international treaties, such as the "Supplemental Convention on the Abolition of Slaves, and local laws. American slaves were sold in 1809 around the equivalent of 40K. Today, slaves can be bought for 90K.

  The civil war in Libya in 2014 and the breakdown of law and order have rendered migrants enslaved being sold in open slave markets. That's five years ago! Mauritania has a long history of slavery. Chattel slavery was formally made  illegal in the country, but the laws are not enforced. It is estimated that around 90K(2%) of the populations are slaves. In addition, forced marriage and child prostitution are not criminalized.

  Debt bondage, sadly, is still a thing and can be passed down to descendants like chattel slavery. This occurs when people give themselves into slavery as a security against a loan, or when they inherit a debt from a relative. The cycle begins when people take extreme loans under the condition they will work off the debt. What the debtor does not understand that the loan is designed that it's never satisfied and it's passes on sometimes for generations. Most times people have work far beyond the amount they owe. This practice is most common in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.  In India, the Bonded Labor System Abolition Act sees convictions rarely and the fine is a whopping $2.00!

  Another form is forced migrant slavery. People may be enticed to migrate for work. After they arrive, their documents are seized and they are forced to work under the threat of violence to them or their families. Undocumented immigrants may also be taken advantage of, and without legal residency, they have no legal recourse. This is found here in the U.S., Europe and the middle east. In the U.K, Vietnamese are trafficked to work in cannabis farms, and when there's a raid, they're shipped off to prison,

  Last, but not least, is prison labor. In China, the prison system holds millions and they are subjected to forced and unpaid labor. Millions have died under the extreme circumstances in Chinese prisons. Also, the Chinese have labor camps, imprisoning hundreds of thousands or Muslims and other minority groups

  Even though the 13th amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas prisoners are not paid at all for their labor. Federal prison industries paid inmates 0.90c per hour. Many times work is forced and refusal is punished by confinement. Prison labor industry makes over 1B USD per year, selling products that inmates make while inmates are paid very little or nothing at all. California inmates fight wildfire for $1.00 per hour and save the state 100M per year.

  In conclusion, Human Trafficking is not only illegal, it's a travesty and a sin against the Creator. How people can choose to own another human being, as you would a pet is beyond comprehension. This is capitalism at it's most ugly and extreme. But with everything, if you see something that looks wrong, call it in. Below are some warning signs:

Appearing malnourished
Showing signs of physical injuries and abuse
Avoiding eye contact, social interaction and authority figures/law enforcement
Seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction.
Lacking official documents
Appearing destitute/lacking personal belongings
Working excessively long hours
*Living at place of employment
Checking into hotels/motels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or "daddy" which is often street slang for pimp
Poor physical/dental health
Untreated STDs
Small children serving in a family restaurant
Security measures that appear to keep people inside and establishment.
Not allowing people to venture out in public alone, or speak for themselves.

*This transpired in Gary at Luigi's pizza early 2000s. A fire revealed that lots of men were living in a makeshift apartment in the basement of the pizza house. Several men were rounded up and none had proper identification. Goggle it. I'm sure it's still going on today in northwest Indiana. Gary, Hammond and especially East Chicago I've no doubt have people suffering the unconscionable for a
better life.

Let's all be mindful of our surroundings. Drill in into your children like never before. Again, try not to be fearful, but rather aware. The life you save may be your own.

Ninakupenda