The crisis of modern slavery in Europe

The United Nations has declared December 2 to be the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. This day focuses on ending modern slavery, including forced labor of women and children, human trafficking, and... for use in armed conflicts.

Even though it is said that slavery in its previous form is no longer practiced in nations, slavery has resurfaced in the modern world. Millions of people worldwide are subjected to forced labor, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and modern slavery, according to reports from international organizations.

Modern slavery is still a significant issue in Europe, where millions of people are still ensnared in forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of slavery. Europeans, who see themselves as leaders in the fight against slavery, still struggle with this issue. Modern slavery on the Green Continent is showing both stable and new trends, according to the most recent data from 2022 to 2024.

Migration is one of the main causes of modern slavery in Europe. Because they frequently flee poverty or conflict, refugees and migrants are especially susceptible to being taken advantage of by employers and traffickers.

 Many of them travel to Europe in quest of better opportunities, only to become entangled in sex trafficking or forced labor. Known as the primary entry points to Europe, Italy, Greece, and Spain have seen a significant influx of trafficked individuals, primarily from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the European Commission's 2022 report on human trafficking, victims from nations like Nigeria, Albania, and Romania are especially vulnerable. In addition, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) observes that victims are now more susceptible to exploitation due to the surge in migration that followed the 2015 refugee crisis.

In Europe, sexual exploitation continues to be the most prevalent type of contemporary slavery. Nearly 60% of trafficking victims in the EU are sexually exploited and abused, according to a 2022 report by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. The most susceptible to this type of slavery are women and girls, who are frequently trafficked from Nigeria, Eastern Europe, and other places to work in brothels or online sex markets.

European businesses are under growing pressure to address modern slavery in their supply chains. Even though nations on the continent are enacting legislation and speaking out against modern slavery, there are still many obstacles to overcome. Many victims of modern slavery, for instance, are still unable to voice their concerns because they are afraid of the authorities, fear deportation, are unable to communicate because they do not speak the language, or are unaware of the services that are available.