Modern-day slavery refers to situations where individuals are controlled and exploited through physical or psychological means. Victims may be forced to work in factories, farms, mines, homes, or in the sex trade. They are often trapped by threats, unpaid debts, immigration status, or manipulation – preventing them from leaving freely. While it may not always involve physical chains, the loss of freedom, autonomy, and human dignity is real.
Modern slavery is present in every country and across industries, frequently hidden in supply chains or informal labor markets. Over 50 million people are believed to live in modern slavery globally.