Modern Slavery and Exploitation

Beyond Legal Illusions: How the Law Perpetuates Modern Slavery and Exploitation

Ellie Roberts

Slavery and human trafficking are two of the most grave and inhumane violations of human rights. Although these are criminalised offences worldwide, they continue to exist and corrupt the lives of thousands of individuals annually. An estimated 50 million people were experiencing modern slavery on any given day in 2021, representing an increase of 10 million since 2016.  Therefore, it is evident that criminalisation is and will never be enough to tackle this issue. This article will address the UK’s Modern Slavery Act (MSA),  and how, despite the acclamations, this piece of legislation is inherently weak. The act overlooks the significant role that big businesses play in the development of exploitation, constructing slavery as a problem, albeit a grossly horrific one. Still, it remains a singular problem and fails to provide any functional solution that addresses the systemic cause. The issue of underdeveloped legislation within this area is not only apparent in the UK. This article will touch on legislation operating in the USA jurisdiction, discussing the various issues and negative implications that the Alien Tort Statute  has caused for victims of exploitation. However, one of the most prevailing areas in which the law has created a precarious situation for those who are victims of slavery and exploitation is through temporary migrant worker programmes (TMWPs).

Read the full article