Forced Labor: Coercion and Exploitation in the Private Economy

Abstract

Two centuries after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, at least 12.3 million people continue to be subjected to modern forms of forced labour characterized by coercion and exploitation. The original field research presented in this volume shows that the victims include not only indigenous workers in Andean countries or people of slave-descent in Niger, but also migrant workers trafficked into Europe and the U.S and vulnerable members of the labour force in Brazil or Pakistan. The book highlights some of the measures that can be taken to combat these unacceptable practices. The authors argue in favour of a labour market approach, which includes the regulation and monitoring of labour intermediaries, the strengthening of labour inspection systems, as well as a stronger involvement of trade unions and employment tribunals.