Contents
🙂 Hello everyone! The article “Slavery in the Modern World and How Not to Get There” contains facts, helpful tips and videos.
Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine that slavery can exist somewhere in the world. However, the market for the so-called “manpower” does not exist “somewhere”, but very close. Among the slaves: victims of “labor contracts”, organ donors, victims of sexual exploitation and people who are forcibly dragged into criminal schemes.
Each of us thinks: “Yes, it can happen, but not with me.” God forbid! However, please read this information.
Modern slavery
According to a report by the US Department of State, in Europe alone, 27 people are enslaved every day. Today, more than 25 million people in the world are slaves of forced labor. The most popular areas of use of “living goods” are labor and sexual exploitation.
According to the estimates of the International Organization for Migration, before 2000, 85% of “human goods” were women and they were mainly used for work in the sex industry. However, in recent years, prostitution has moved into second place.
Labor exploitation is becoming the leader today. The gender ratio has also changed: about half of the victims are men. Attackers need slaves for many reasons:
- sexual exploitation – prostitution, pornography;
- forced involvement in criminal activity;
- labor exploitation;
- forced begging;
- surrogacy;
- organ donation;
- participation in hostilities;
- trafficking in children.
Human trafficking
It is easier to fall into slavery than it might seem at first glance. Quite a few people are looking for a better life abroad. These are the people who are likely to be victims of traffickers.
In the “risk zone” there are people in a difficult financial situation who need quick money, which is so generously promised to them by new “employers”. Traffickers operate through employment agencies, show firms and dating services.
The scheme is very simple – the attacker introduces himself as a member of a foreign firm that is looking for workers. Promises fast and big earnings in another country. Victims seduced by easy money do not find out all the details of the proposed work for a long time.
They have no idea that they are already on the hook. They are told about the fabulous and carefree life abroad. In reality, the essence of the work or its conditions are significantly different from those portrayed by the attackers.
Attackers do not sign real contracts with the victim; they usually put a “nice piece of paper” with some kind of seal on the table. Or they are forced to sign a contract drawn up in a foreign language that the person does not understand.
In such a document, any conditions of your work that are beneficial to cybercriminals can be written. The gullible person actually signs his own verdict, and then gives the mediator all the originals of his personal documents.
The mediator promises to independently resolve the issue with a work / student visa and with registration at the domestic embassy / consulate. In reality, no one is going to register you with a diplomatic institution or help you get a visa. The main thing for an attacker is to get your documents.
The mediator will hand over the documents to foreign slave owners. Then the person says goodbye to the intermediary and goes to another country, where the employer-host is already waiting for him. It is desirable for criminals that the victims do not have close relatives or friends who will be worried about their fate.
Signs of slave owners
The main “signals” that may indicate that you are dealing with traffickers:
- employers, for various reasons, advise against sharing information about leaving the country with loved ones;
- The “employer” fully assumes the paperwork, transportation, accommodation;
- you are forced to travel abroad in a short time without a work visa;
- your personal documents, means of communication are being taken away or are going to be taken away from you;
- you are under the constant supervision of the “management”;
- you have been isolated and restricted in your free movement;
- you are threatened or blackmailed.
How they become slaves
Sexual and labor exploitation is the most popular use of the “live commodity”. Let’s take a closer look at this.
They become victims of labor exploitation according to a proven scenario. A group of workers travels to another country, for example, to work in construction. They are brought to the facility, which is surrounded by a high fence. Armed guards meet new workers.
People are settled on the territory of the facility and are prohibited from leaving the territory. “Employers”, inventing various reasons, or even by force, take away mobile phones and any other means of communication.
Even after such “signals”, people may not understand that they are already in fact in slavery. They work without communication and free movement, and they do not receive the promised salary at the end of the indicated period.
If a person refuses to work, he is threatened by armed guards. It is almost impossible to leave the territory of the facility, and to leave the country without documents is generally unrealistic. Thus, a person actually turns into a slave.
Sexual exploitation. Everything works in a similar way here. The mediators promise a regular job: a waitress in a nightclub, an animator in a hotel … The guide provides the victim with accommodation and food at a low cost.
People go abroad and start working, but accommodation and meals for the “employers” turn out to be somewhat more expensive than expected. “Good” management allows you to use housing and take food on credit until the person is on their feet.
Subsequently, when the debt has grown enough, they offer the victims a “specific part-time job” to get out of the debt hole. The victim has no choice but to agree.
This is how a person is involved in prostitution. If a person refuses such earnings, then the management reminds of a debt. Then he can use threats, blackmail, or physical pressure.
How not to fall into slavery
In order not to lose your freedom and not fall into the hands of traffickers of “living goods”, you must always be careful and adhere to a few tips. First you need to get a work visa, this may take from 3 months to a year.
A tourist or visitor visa does not entitle you to work. People usually do not want to wait long for a work visa and go to work without documents.
Then you need to find out if the intermediary company has an appropriate license to work abroad. It is imperative to conclude an employment contract with the employer.
You need to know that the agreement will always be drawn up in the language that you speak with an indication of the term of work. In addition, this document specifies holidays and working days, health insurance and a full list of job responsibilities.
It is worth bringing the original and copies of the employment contract with you. Also make several copies of your domestic and foreign passports, insurance policy. Leave one copy with friends / family. Another – take it with you and store it separately from the originals so that intruders cannot steal them.
It is important
Before going to another country, you must have basic knowledge of the language, so that if something happens you can turn to local law enforcement agencies for help. Take a phrasebook / dictionary with you.
Leave your relatives your contact details and the address of your stay abroad. Write for yourself the contacts of the embassy or consulate of your country or other organizations that can help you in a foreign country. Adhere to the rules of the visa regime.
Never give up your communications – they can guarantee your freedom. Regularly contact your family and friends, just in case, come up with a code word that will signal that you are in danger.
Have the necessary amount of money that you may need when you return home, even if the employer assures you that they will cover all costs.
Although there are many institutions and organizations that prevent human trafficking, the shameful phenomenon of slavery still exists in today’s world. If you stick to the advice and meticulously observe the actions of new employers, you can save yourself from trouble.
Always remember: personal freedom and dignity belongs only to you.
Video
Read more in this video on Slavery in the Modern World
Friends, share the information “Slavery in the Modern World” on social networks. It is very important!