Today, 18th October 2011 is designated as Anti-Slavery
Day in the UK. The day was established in 2010 to provide a focal point for
raising awareness about the many people in the UK and around the world who
continue to be trapped in modern slavery, and to promote the need for many
individuals and organisations across society to play a part in ending it.
There are apparently at least 12.3 million people, both children and adults, working in forced labour, a modern form of slavery.
There are apparently at least 12.3 million people, both children and adults, working in forced labour, a modern form of slavery.
Our link to slavery may be closer to home than we imagine as demonstrated by the 'products of slavery' world map and the news item below.
In September a police raid in Leighton Buzzard uncovered men held in modern day slavery in the UK. Homeless men had been recruited on the streets of London for 'work'. Later they were sold as slaves to gang masters who detained and bullied them into work for no wages. Link to BBC London video.
In September a police raid in Leighton Buzzard uncovered men held in modern day slavery in the UK. Homeless men had been recruited on the streets of London for 'work'. Later they were sold as slaves to gang masters who detained and bullied them into work for no wages. Link to BBC London video.
The UK has a a history of campaigning against
slavery which we must continue into the 21st Century.