53 slaves work for me everyday - What about you?

What if i told you that slaves are working or have worked for you right now in this moment? What if i told you that 53 slaves (approx.) work for me every single day? 

Modern slavery is a multi-billion dollar industry with estimates of up to $35 billion generated annually. The UN estimates that roughly 27-30 million individuals are currently caught in the slave trade industry worldwide today and 8.3 million people are fighting to end modern day slavery.

What is modern day slavery you ask? “Surely slavery was eradicated years ago?” you tell yourself. Well unfortunately, you are wrong. Modern day slavery is very present and very relevant to everyone in the first world just as much as the third world. Human trafficking is intact one of the most common forms of modern day slavery, this includes prostitution and drug mules. 

The facts are there and very evident yet citizens of the western world just don’t seem to understand that we all fall victim to “using” modern day slaves. 

How did I find out that 53 slaves work for me daily? Well, the most obvious way to find out is, look in the tags of your clothing, where your personal items are made. It may say “made in turkey/Mauritius/Bangladesh” most of the time these brands have used sweatshops to produce these garments are products in which the citizens of these countries; men, women and even children work in unbearable conditions with rock bottom minimal wages, working around the clock ungodly hours. Furthermore you can take a test to see just how many slaves work for you on modernslavery.com which is where i managed to find out the approximate number. The questionnaire will ask you a number of questions about your lifestyle such as “How many pairs of shoes do you own?” obviously only expecting an approximate guess. 

How do I join the 8.3 million people fighting to end modern day slavery? 

Anti-Slavery Day is 18 October, there are so many events and things to do in the U.K, in support of Anti-Slavery a few of these things include: 

Jump For Freedom (Skydive)

Manchester Slavery Walks

Trafficking and Exploitation on the Mediterranean Migrant Routes

Walk for Freedom London and Plymouth

A Guided Museum Tour at Wilberforce House

Back to Life Exhibition

Just Enough Festival

And many more…

Although, if you can’t attend or do any of these events there are ways to alert people about modern day slavery and bring awareness to people of what help there is out there such as the UK Modern Slavery Helpline and to keep yourself aware there are the AntiSlaveryDay Twitter and Facebook which alerts its followers on the latest news of Modern Day Slavery in the U.K and even internationally.

A lot of people are mistaken when they believe their gesture will not make a difference but, in reality it does. The more people that are on board, the more people that are aware, the stronger the chances of beating modern slavery each day at a time... And that's a start.

Please feel free to leave your comments and feedback down below as I love to hear what people have to say!

Ethically Sourced's Laura.