• There are an estimated 40.3 million people held in slavery today. [1]
• Children represent an estimated 26% of all forced labour victims. [2]

[1] Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
[2] International Labour Organisation. "ILO 2012 Global estimate of forced labour: Executive Summary."

One of the most common techniques used to entrap labourers is through false debts. An owner lures a poor person into slavery by offering a small advance payment for their labour. The owner then ensures it is impossible for the slave to ever repay by inflating the debt owed with exorbitant interest charges, not paying the victim the promised wages and prohibiting him or her from working anywhere else. These false debts can be passed from one generation to the next; we have identified entire families (from grandparents to parents to children) who have been forced to work for years after accepting advance payments as low as $20.

IJM combats forced labour slavery in Cambodia, Ghana, India, and Thailand.

Rescue Victims: We identify people trapped in slavery, partner with local authorities to conduct rescue operations and ensure each victim is legally emancipated and receives government support.

Bring Criminals to Justice: We advocate for police reports to be filed against owners or traffickers, and support prosecution of slave owners.

Restore Survivors: We create individualized care plans for each person to respond to trauma and pursue dignifying jobs and educational opportunities.

Strengthen Justice Systems: We provide hands-on mentoring for law enforcement, government officials and partner organizations. We also create social demand and advocate with state and national leaders to make ending slavery a top priority.