Billions linked to modern-day slavery & global supply chains

A recent report released by Walk Free has shed light on the dark reality of modern-day slavery, revealing that a staggering $468 billion in global supply chains are directly or indirectly linked to this exploitation. Katherine Bryant, the Head of Policy at Walk Free, joined CNBC Africa to discuss the findings of the report and the impact of modern slavery on a global scale. The Global Slavery Index released by Walk Free measures modern slavery in 160 countries worldwide, estimating that there are approximately 50 million people living in conditions of modern slavery. This figure marks a shocking increase of 10 million since the last report was released, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue. Of the 50 million people trapped in modern slavery, around 22 million are involved in global supply chains, underscoring the widespread presence of exploitation within various industries. Certain sectors, such as the garment industry and electronics, have been identified as higher risk areas where modern slavery is prevalent. The report also delves into the regional prevalence of modern slavery, particularly focusing on Africa. Out of the 50 million individuals affected by modern slavery globally, 7 million can be found in Africa. Countries such as Eritrea, Mauritania, and South Sudan exhibit the highest prevalence of modern-day slavery on the continent. Within Africa, forced marriage and forced labor are prevalent, affecting millions of individuals. Despite being the fourth region globally with the highest prevalence of modern slavery, Africa faces the highest vulnerability due to factors such as discrimination towards migrants and minority groups, conflict, and climate change. Vulnerable sectors like agriculture, fishing, and domestic work pose heightened risks, especially for women and children who are particularly susceptible to exploitation. The impact of major crises such as COVID-19, conflict, and climate change on the prevalence of modern slavery cannot be overlooked. These challenges have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to an increased risk of exploitation. For example, the rates of child marriage surged across Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, signifying the detrimental impact of such crises on vulnerable populations. Contrary to the misconception that G20 nations are free of modern slavery, the report reveals that over half of the exploited individuals can be found within these countries. G20 nations are also significant importers of goods at risk of being produced through forced labor, amounting to a staggering $468 billion. This underscores the responsibility of G20 countries in addressing exploitation within their borders and scrutinizing forced labor in global supply chains. Despite efforts to enhance transparency and combat modern slavery, loopholes persist, allowing criminal networks to exploit vulnerable populations. The need for more stringent policy measures and increased transparency in supply chains is crucial to tackling this pervasive issue. While there have been instances of progress, such as the Republic of the Congo criminalizing trafficking and Namibia implementing a national referral mechanism, more concerted efforts are needed to combat modern-day slavery effectively. Governments and businesses must work collaboratively to enforce mandatory reporting and supply chain transparency legislation, signaling a shift towards greater accountability and awareness. As the world grapples with rising inflation and the challenges posed by climate change, addressing modern slavery remains a critical priority to safeguard vulnerable populations and uphold human rights.