A recent report by the Walk Free Foundation reveals that the world’s top 20 richest countries are major contributors to modern slavery, impacting more than 50 million people. India leads with 1.1 crore (11 million) victims, followed by China, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, and the United States.
The report highlights that six members of the G20 have the highest number of individuals trapped in forced labour or forced marriage. Surprisingly, even countries known for their economic development, gender equality, and stable systems, such as Switzerland, Norway, Germany, and others, still struggle with thousands enduring forced work or marriages.
The report connects modern slavery to global supply chains, where G20 nations import $468 million worth of products annually, considered at risk of being produced through forced labour. Urgent action is needed to combat this pervasive violation of human rights.
The report, drawing upon extensive interviews with survivors and nationally representative household surveys, as well as vulnerability assessments of 160 countries, further revealed that the number of people impacted by modern slavery increased by nearly 10 million within a span of five years.
The report focussed on the undeniable presence of modern slavery in global supply chains. G20 nations, annually importing products valued at $468 million that are considered “at risk” of being produced through forced labour, include electronics, garments, palm oil, solar panels, and textiles. Walk Free emphasized the pervasiveness of modern slavery, stating that it intertwines with every aspect of society—seeping into our clothing, electrifying our devices, and even seasoning our food. Ultimately, it serves as a disquieting reflection of power dynamics within any given society.
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