Over 260,000 Pinoys trapped in modern slavery – report 

Walk Free Foundation, a group with a mission to end modern slavery, said on its Global Slavery Index 2014 released on Tuesday that 261,200 Filipinos are facing modern slavery. This makes the Philippines among the top 20 countries with the highest number of people in modern slavery. 

 

However, of all the 167 countries included in the report, the Philippines only ranked 103rd in terms of prevalence of population in modern slavery. Meaning, modern slavery is not severe in the country. 

 

The report also noted that the government responses against modern slavery ranks high in the Philippines with a BB rating. In fact, the Philippines is at the top 3 after Australia and New Zealand in the Asia Pacific region despite the country's limited resources. This kind of ranking is noteworthy given that wealthier countries have low government response rating. 

 

"Japan’s low score for government responses stands out given their relative wealth compared to countries in the region with comparatively stronger responses, such as Nepal and the Philippines," the report said. 

 

The Global Slavery Index report pointed out that Filipinos who are under modern slavery have been subject to sexual exploitation and domestic and carers' work. It also stressed that there are migrant workers who may also be subjected to modern slavery in other countries like Qatar, which is the top 4 country in terms of slavery prevalence. 

 

Global view 

 

The number of Filipinos under modern slavery is nothing compared to other countries.

Of the 35.8 million people in modern slavery, 61 percent of them are from India (14,285,700 of the population), China (3,241,400), Pakistan (2,058,200), Uzbekistan (1,201,400), and Russia (1,049,700). But modern slavery is most prevalent in Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Qatar and India. 

 

Those who are in modern slavery were trapped in that situation because of human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, forced or servile marriage, or commercial sexual exploitation. — RSJ, GMA News