Modern slavery

Modern slavery is a deeply concerning issue that directly contradicts the principles and objectives of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It encompasses a range of exploitative practices including forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. These practices undermine human rights, perpetuate inequality, and hinder social and economic development.

SDG 8, in particular, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, is intrinsically linked to the issue of modern slavery. The target 8.7 specifically calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Also, SDG 5, which advocates for gender equality, plays a crucial role in combating modern slavery. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labour, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry and 58% in other sectors, according to the International Labour Organization. Addressing gender inequality and empowering women and girls can help reduce their vulnerability to exploitation.

The issue of modern slavery also connects with SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions. Strengthening institutions, improving access to justice, and creating effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels are fundamental to ending modern slavery. This includes creating legal frameworks that criminalize all forms of exploitation and strengthening law enforcement responses to these crimes.

Combating modern slavery is not only a matter of human rights but also crucial to achieving sustainable development. The fight against modern slavery requires concerted effort at all levels – from governments and international organizations, through to businesses and civil society. It involves promoting decent work, advocating gender equality, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that no one is left behind – a commitment at the heart of the SDGs.

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2025

Honoring Memories, Fostering Resilience

The annals of history bear witness to the atrocities and enduring impacts of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade serves as a poignant reminder of this dark chapter in human history and its lasting effects on societies worldwide.

The Significance of the Day

In December 2021 RELX held Responsible Supplier Sessions exploring themes including living wage, accessibility and modern slavery prevention. This information is particularly relevant to SDGs 8, 10 and 12.
Elsevier, Energy Research and Social Science, Volume 77, July 2021
Photograph of a young cobalt miner indebted to a mining boss in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Globally those in slavery, though small in absolute numbers (est. 40.2 million), contribute disproportionately to environmental destruction and carbon emissions. If modern slaves were a country, they would be the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, after China and the United States. Concurrently, anthropogenic changes to the global ecosystem have significant impacts on human life, creating vulnerability and displacement that drive modern slavery.
Companies who can demonstrate purpose—such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments—will be most likely to survive and thrive. Our reporter visited Tony’s Chocolonely, which was founded in 2006 by a journalist who wanted to eradicate modern slavery in the cocoa industry by developing “100% slave-free” chocolate. Tony’s has since become one of the biggest chocolate brands in the Netherlands, and recently expanded to the U.S. and the UK.

United Nations University, September 2019.

Directly relevant to SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), this report explores a public-private partnership which puts the financial sector at the heart of global efforts to end modern slavery and human trafficking and accelerate action in eradicating these practices.
July 30th marks the fifth World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a call to action—for individuals and organizations—to protect and promote human rights among some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), the global community has agreed to eliminate trafficking and companies are expected to meet ethical expectations for human rights standards.

United Nations University, New York, March 2019. 

Focussing on SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Dr Alison Gardner, head of the Rights Lab’s Governance Programme, discusses the Slavery-Free Communities Programme’s work, highlighting promising practices in the context of Nottingham and the UK.

United Nations University, February 2019.

Directly relevant to SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), this piece explores an innovative methodology for modelling the risk of modern slavery.

United Nations University, September 2018. 

Directly relating to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), this report offers an analysis of countries' development spending commitments to achieve target 8.7 (eradicate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking).
Social impact
At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday 24 January, Theresa May called on shareholders to put pressure on the companies they invest in to improve their "social impact" supporting goal 10 (reduced inequalities) and goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

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