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May 30, 2016
More than 45 million men, women and children globally are trapped in modern slavery, far more than previously thought, with two-thirds in the Asia-Pacific, a study showed Tuesday. The details were revealed in the 2016 Global Slavery Index, a research report by the Walk Free Foundation, an initiative set up by Australian billionaire mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest in 2012 to draw attention to the issue. It compiled information from 167 countries with 42,000 interviews in 53 languages to determine the prevalence of the issue and government responses. It suggested that there were 28 percent more slaves than estimated two years ago, a revision reached through better data collection and research methods. Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot leave because of threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception.
The report said India had the highest number of people trapped in slavery at 18.35 million, while North Korea had the highest incidence (4.37 percent of the population) and the weakest government response. In terms of absolute numbers, Asian countries occupy the top five for people trapped in slavery. Behind India was China (3.39 million), Pakistan (2.13 million), Bangladesh (1.53 million) and Uzbekistan (1.23 million).
Simpleχity;1065913848 said:More than 45 million trapped in modern slavery: study
The annual report can be accessed here - Findings: Global Slavery Index 2016
Right. The number seems high. My first inclination is that they're playing fast-and-loose with the definition of "slavery".While
1. That slavery continues to exist in large numbers is a stain on the human race, and one I would gleefully put US Foreign Policy to ending (much as the British Navy earned eternal glory for combatting the African Slave Trade)
2. I don't take estimates from activist groups at face value without outside, neutral validation. I don't do it for groups I am inclined to disagree with, and so intellectual honesty requires that I not do it for groups I am inclined to support.
Right. The number seems high. My first inclination is that they're playing fast-and-loose with the definition of "slavery".
Exactly. Having to go to a job one hates or pay a debt one owes is "slavery" to the modern-day liberal, who wants their money for nothing and their chicks for free.
However, there is a problem. What is the problem with that side of the globe?
You should definitely stop whatever it is that you are doing.Those may be high numbers, but they don't negate the fact that too many people around the world are being enslaved. While we are not be directly responsible, we may be in some way.
You should definitely stop whatever it is that you are doing.
Those countries with the highest absolute numbers of people in modern slavery are India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. Several of these countries provide the low-cost labour that produces consumer goods for markets in Western Europe, Japan, North America and Australia.
Don't disagree... at... all. Problem is, when people inflate numbers they actually do long-term harm to the cause. After the initial shock has worn off, and people realize the problem is "not as bad" as stated, it becomes something of a "boy who cried wolf" aspect and people become desensitized to it. It becomes easier to dismiss. Basically, the people who inflate the numbers are lying, and other people don't like being lied to.Those may be high numbers, but they don't negate the fact that too many people around the world are being enslaved. While we are not be directly responsible, we may be in some way.
People would say you are responsible for oppressing minimum wage employees for buying food at a fast food restaurant. Are you?I love some sarcasm. This is what I am looking at
Does that not mean that we are, in part, responsible?
Don't disagree... at... all. Problem is, when people inflate numbers they actually do long-term harm to the cause. After the initial shock has worn off, and people realize the problem is "not as bad" as stated, it becomes something of a "boy who cried wolf" aspect and people become desensitized to it. It becomes easier to dismiss. Basically, the people who inflate the numbers are lying, and other people don't like being lied to.
The definition they are using is open to interpretation: Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot leave because of threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception. I can see where "We will repo your car if you don't start making payments" can be considered a threat.
Your comparison is a bit of a stretch. The threats being levied here aren't of the 'we will take away your car' sort. They're more of the 'If you don't work these 4 extra hours unpaid, you will only get 6 hours of your 12 hour shift paid' - source: I've met former Bangladeshi slaves.
I love some sarcasm. This is what I am looking at
Does that not mean that we are, in part, responsible?
If there was literally a sticker on the pair of shoes that I spend $10 less on explaining that these shoes were made through slave labor, then yes, I actively contributed. However: Ignorance absolves responsibility.
It may be that my laziness in not researching the trade routes of the products I buy result in my ignorance. Ergo my ignorance is a result of my own inaction and can no longer absolve my responsibility.
But that expectation is unrealistic. We must draw the line at some point and not blame the consumer.
General comment: Is their "slavery" better than what they had before companies like Nike came to exploit them?Then who's to blame? Corporate greed? The nations themselves for allowing these practices?
I read somewhere that bureaucracy is at a minimum in India. I think the compared opening a business here in the US to opening one there.
May be we have too many regulations, some have too little.
Right, so its their definition of threat or coercion, and where the line in the sand is.
Then who's to blame? Corporate greed? The nations themselves for allowing these practices?
I read somewhere that bureaucracy is at a minimum in India. I think the compared opening a business here in the US to opening one there.
May be we have too many regulations, some have too little.
Simpleχity;1065913848 said:More than 45 million trapped in modern slavery: study
The annual report can be accessed here - Findings: Global Slavery Index 2016
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