Modern Slavery In Australia Is Alive And Well In Agriculture And Restaurant Sectors

A coalition of anti-slavery groups have penned a letter to Malcolm Turnbull, urging him to address modern slavery in Australia.

The ABC reports more than 45 million people in the world are estimated to live under some form of slavery. This figure includes more than 4,000 people in Australia.

According to advocates, the problem is particularly entrenched in agriculture and restaurant sectors, where many people are subjected to slave-like conditions.

Fiona David, head of research at the Walk Free Foundation, told the ABC that the concept of slavery might seem out of place in a country like Australia – but it is a rife problem in a number of industries.

“One is the sort of forced labour exploitation that we have seen uncovered, for example in the agricultural industry, or even in the restaurant industry with the forced labour of chefs and cooks,” said Ms David.

BREAKING: 18 Faith leaders sign public letter urging @TurnbullMalcolm to #endslavery in Australian supply chains https://t.co/H2BUB6RI8f pic.twitter.com/JGRUyeXUC5

— Freedom Partnership (@partner4freedom) December 1, 2016

Anti-Slavery Australia notes the traditional view of slavery is one of people chained up and controlled, or perhaps bought and traded like property. However, the group insists slavery still exists today under a different guise.

In a web-post it writes, “the law recognizes that slavery may occur through a number of other ways” (including these). The group identifies how it is often difficult to distinguish the difference between “slavery” and “harsh working conditions”.

Media outlets have previously picked up on exploitative and slave-like work conditions on Australian farms and factories, and some 7-Eleven franchise stores. ABC’s Four Corners program also took an in-depth look at modern-slavery in Australia.

According to advocates, the issue remains that victims of slave-like working conditions are hesitant about coming forward and making reports to authorities. Jenny Stranger, head of the Salvation Army’s Freedom Partnership to End Modern Slavery, said the number of victims who speak out is relatively small.

“What we know from the global slavery index in 2016 is about 4,300 people are currently enslaved in Australia, and only about 500 victims of slavery have been officially recognised by Government over the last 10 years," she explained.

Walk Free and the Salvation Army are just two of the organisations who have joined forces to write an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for action.

It calls for the establishment of an anti-slavery commissioner, something that Ms David termed “fair” and insisted wouldn’t cause any unnecessary trouble for businesses.

“We think this is an important step for the Australian government,” she said.

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