In South Asia, bonded labourers are traditionally used in agriculture, brick making, stone quarries, silk production, carpet weaving and bidi (cigarette) making; but can be found in many other areas.

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They are routinely threatened with and subjected to physical and sexual violence. Even though few cases involve keeping them in chains, the constraints are just as binding. Their lives are controlled by those who are owed the debt, to the extent where those who use bonded labour sometimes sell the debts – and thereby the people – on to others. In Pakistan, brick kiln workers tell of being sold more than 10 times.

But, however large the problem of slavery is for the world today, solutions are possible.

Poverty, lack of political will, people’s willingness to exploit those most vulnerable and social acceptance all contribute to the survival of slavery and must be addressed.

It is vital governments develop and implement laws that criminalise the specific forms of slavery in their countries, and ensure an end to the impunity that leaves those who use slaves unpunished.

Governments also need to work with local and international non-governmental organisations to make sure the means are developed to help former slaves live free and independent lives. In addressing the social acceptance of slavery, governments need to support activities that make communities and society as a whole aware of slavery, particularly where it is an accepted norm, and develop alternatives.

Poverty alleviation is essential to securing the long-term elimination of slavery. Development programmes being devised by governments and international agencies to meet the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal of widespread poverty reduction must be aware of the existence of slavery and its causes. Only in this way will the education programmes and development measures, such as micro-credit and job provision schemes, offer real opportunities to end the exploitation and discrimination that continue to hold people in slavery.

As we move closer to 2007, the bicentenary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade throughout its territories, the public has an opportunity to seize the spirit of popular action that had such a significant effect 200 years ago.

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