Exposing modern slavery in global supply chains – GIS Reports

 

Report on Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Modern slavery persists as a severe impediment to global progress, directly contravening multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An estimated 50 million people are currently enslaved worldwide, a crisis driven by economic incentives that undermine human dignity and sustainable development. This report analyzes the prevalence of modern slavery in key global supply chains and assesses its implications for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Economic Drivers of Modern Slavery vs. SDG 8

The continuation of slavery is primarily an economic crime, fundamentally at odds with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Specifically, it represents a catastrophic failure to meet Target 8.7, which calls for the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour.

• The profitability of modern slavery is immense, with the cost of procuring a slave as low as $90-$100, compared to the historical equivalent of $40,000.
• This economic model prioritizes profit over human life, creating exploitative conditions that prevent the establishment of decent work and inclusive economic growth.
• The practice is a direct assault on human dignity and perpetuates cycles of poverty, working against SDG 1: No Poverty.

Case Studies: Modern Slavery’s Impact on the SDGs

In-depth inquiries reveal systemic forced labour practices across various nations and industries, highlighting the interconnected failure to achieve several SDGs.

H3: People’s Republic of China

Forced labour in China, particularly targeting Uighur and other Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang region, presents a strategic economic tool to dominate global markets, while severely violating human rights and undermining sustainable goals.

1. Violation of SDG 8 & SDG 10: An estimated 3 million people are subjected to state-imposed forced labour, a practice that disproportionately targets ethnic and religious minorities, thus exacerbating inequalities (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) and denying decent work (SDG 8).
2. Compromising SDG 12 & SDG 7: Supply chains for numerous consumer goods are tainted.
   • Garments: One in five cotton garments globally is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang.
   • Food: Tomatoes used in products sold internationally are produced using forced labour under brutal conditions.
   • Clean Energy: Approximately 97% of the world’s solar panels may contain polysilicon from the Uighur region, creating a direct conflict between the pursuit of SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and the commitment to ethical production under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
3. Undermining Global Partnerships (SDG 17): China’s use of forced labour to achieve economic hegemony creates a vicious cycle that destroys manufacturing resilience and jobs in other nations, hindering fair global partnerships.

H3: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The mining sector in the DRC, particularly for cobalt essential for batteries in electric vehicles and technology, is rife with human rights abuses that challenge the ethical foundation of the green transition.

• Violation of SDG 8.7 & SDG 4: The worst forms of child labour are prevalent in cobalt mines, with children working in toxic conditions. This not only violates Target 8.7 but also denies them their right to SDG 4: Quality Education.
• Impact on SDG 3 & SDG 5: Workers, including women and children, are exposed to hazardous heavy metals, leading to severe health issues and birth defects, a clear violation of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Female miners face high risks of sexual assault, undermining SDG 5: Gender Equality.
• Challenge to SDG 12: The reliance on this “tainted” cobalt means that products marketed as sustainable (e.g., electric vehicles) are built on a foundation of human rights violations, challenging the integrity of SDG 12.

H3: Pakistan

Bonded labour in Pakistan’s brick kilns exemplifies a systemic failure of governance and justice, trapping generations in a cycle of debt and servitude.

• Violation of SDG 16 & SDG 10: Despite laws against bonded labour, a lack of political will to enforce them demonstrates a failure of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The system disproportionately victimizes religious minorities, deepening inequalities in contravention of SDG 10.
• Economic Exploitation vs. SDG 1 & SDG 8: Families are paid less than half the official value of their work, trapping them in debt bondage and extreme poverty, directly opposing the principles of SDG 1 and SDG 8.
• Denial of SDG 4: Children born into this system are forced into servitude instead of attending school, perpetuating intergenerational poverty and violating their right to SDG 4.

Legislative Failures and the Path Forward

The global response to modern slavery has been inconsistent, highlighting a critical need for stronger institutional frameworks as envisioned in SDG 16.

• The United Kingdom’s reliance on self-regulation contrasts sharply with more robust legislation in the United States (Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act) and the European Union, which presumes goods from certain regions are made with forced labour.
• Without harmonized and stringent international laws, nations with weaker regulations risk becoming dumping grounds for slave-made goods.
• Achieving SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals requires concerted action among governments to implement effective legislation, including forensic technology to trace supply chains and asset confiscation for perpetrators.

The Role of Consumers in Driving Responsible Production (SDG 12)

Consumer behaviour is a powerful tool for change. Fostering ethical consumption is essential to achieving SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

1. Informed Choices: There is a growing willingness, especially among younger generations, to pay more for ethically and sustainably produced goods. This consumer power can reshape corporate behaviour.
2. Truth-in-Labelling: A legal requirement to label products originating from regions known for forced labour (e.g., Xinjiang) or produced under exploitative conditions (e.g., DRC mines, Pakistan kilns) would empower consumers to make informed decisions.
3. Multi-Stakeholder Action: Mobilizing consumers, faith communities, and civil society, in the spirit of historical abolitionist movements, can create market pressure that forces corporations and complicit states to reform. This aligns with the multi-stakeholder approach of SDG 17.

Conclusion: A Call for Integrated Action

Modern slavery is a profound violation of human rights and a fundamental obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The pursuit of economic growth (SDG 8), clean energy (SDG 7), and responsible consumption (SDG 12) cannot be divorced from the principles of human dignity, justice (SDG 16), and equality (SDG 10). A concerted, global effort is required from governments, corporations, and consumers to build transparent, ethical, and cruelty-free supply chains, thereby ensuring that the 2030 Agenda delivers a just and sustainable future for all.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article links modern slavery to extreme poverty, describing how bonded labor traps families in a “vicious cycle” of debt and destitution for generations, particularly in the brick kilns of Pakistan.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The text highlights severe health consequences, such as children in the DRC being born with birth defects from exposure to toxic materials in mines, and workers in China being beaten until they faint.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article explicitly states that child laborers, like those in Pakistan’s brick kilns, “should be in schools, not servitude,” directly connecting the issue to a lack of educational opportunities.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article points to specific gender-based exploitation, including the trafficking of “thousands of North Korean women into forced marriages and sex work” in China and the heightened vulnerability of female miners to sexual assault in the DRC.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – A direct link is made between the green energy sector and modern slavery, with the article stating that an estimated “97 percent of the world’s solar panels could contain polysilicon made in the Uighur region of China” through forced labor.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – This is the central SDG addressed. The entire article focuses on forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor, which are the antithesis of decent work. It details these issues in China, the DRC, and Pakistan.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article emphasizes that modern slavery disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as “Uighur Muslims and other Turkic Muslims” in China and religious minorities in Pakistan who are overrepresented in bonded labor.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – A major theme is the lack of transparency in global supply chains and the role of consumers. The article advocates for “truth-in-labelling” and boycotting “slave-made goods” to promote ethical production.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article discusses the failure of justice systems, citing a lack of political will to enforce anti-slavery laws in Pakistan and the need for stronger legislation to combat human trafficking and exploitation globally.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.7: “Take 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… and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.” The article is entirely focused on this target, providing evidence of modern slavery, forced labor (China), and child labor (DRC, Pakistan) and calling for action to end these practices.
• Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…” The article describes extremely unsafe working conditions, such as children standing in “toxic pools” in DRC mines and laborers in China being “strung up by chains from the ceiling and beaten.”
• Target 8.5: “…equal pay for work of equal value.” The article notes that in the DRC, “Female miners, who earn less than the average two dollars per day paid to men,” directly addressing the issue of unequal pay based on gender.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The use of child labor in the cobalt mines of the DRC and the brick kilns of Pakistan, as detailed in the article, are clear examples of child exploitation and abuse this target aims to end.
• Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article highlights the failure to enforce Pakistan’s “Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act in 1992” due to a lack of “political will or capacity,” demonstrating a failure in the rule of law.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.6: “Encourage companies… to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.” The article criticizes companies for a “lack of supply-chain transparency” and calls for them to ensure their products are not made with forced labor.
• Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development…” The call for “truth-in-labelling” on products to inform consumers about their origins in places like Xinjiang is a direct effort to achieve this target.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls… including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” The article provides direct evidence related to this target by describing how “thousands of North Korean women were trafficked into forced marriages and sex work” and how “sexual assault is common in mining areas” for female miners in the DRC.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… religion, economic or other status.” The article shows the opposite of this, detailing how religious minorities in Pakistan are disproportionately trapped in bonded labor, representing up to “50 percent” of brick kiln workers despite being less than 5% of the population.

Implied and Mentioned Indicators

Indicators for SDG 8 (Targets 8.7, 8.5)

• Number of people in modern slavery: The article explicitly states this number is as high as “50 million people” worldwide, with the International Labor Organization estimating “40 million people are trapped in modern slavery.”
• Prevalence of modern slavery in a population: The article cites the 2023 Global Slavery Index, stating that an “estimated 10.6 of every 1,000 people in Pakistan were in modern slavery.”
• Proportion of products linked to forced labor: An indicator is provided for the garment industry, where it is “estimated that one in five garments made from cotton has been linked to forced labor in Xinjiang.”
• Wage disparity and low wages: The article provides specific monetary values that act as indicators of exploitation, such as female miners in the DRC earning “less than the average two dollars per day” and a family in Pakistan being paid “as little as 500 rupees” for work valued at 1,110 rupees.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Target 16.3)

• Number of shipments denied entry due to forced labor links: This is used as a measure of enforcement. The article notes that by November 2024, “the U.S. Customs and Border Protection had apprehended 10,633 shipments of goods” under the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Indicators for SDG 12 (Target 12.6)

• Consumer willingness to pay for ethical products: The article implies this as a key indicator for change, citing a poll where “nearly three-fourths of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for products that are environmentally sustainable” and questioning if this could extend to slave-free products.

Indicators for SDG 5 (Target 5.2)

• Monetary value of trafficked persons: The article gives a specific price, noting a North Korean escapee was sold for “$750 to a farmer,” which serves as a grim indicator of human commodification.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.7: End modern slavery, forced labor, and child labor. 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe working environments. 8.5: Achieve equal pay for work of equal value.	– Number of people in modern slavery (50 million). – Prevalence of modern slavery in Pakistan (10.6 per 1,000 people). – Proportion of cotton garments linked to forced labor in Xinjiang (1 in 5). – Daily wage for female miners in DRC (less than $2/day).
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2: End abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of children. 16.3: Promote the rule of law and equal access to justice.	– Lack of enforcement of the 1992 Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act in Pakistan. – Number of shipments denied entry by U.S. Customs due to forced labor links (10,633).
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and reporting. 12.8: Ensure people have information for sustainable lifestyles.	– Call for “truth-in-labelling” on products from regions like Xinjiang. – Percentage of consumers willing to pay more for sustainable goods (three-fourths of Gen Z).
SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against and trafficking of women and girls.	– Number of North Korean women trafficked (“thousands”). – Price of a trafficked woman ($750). – Commonality of sexual assault against female miners in the DRC.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Promote social, economic, and political inclusion of all.	– Disproportionate representation of religious minorities in Pakistan’s brick kilns (up to 50% of workers vs. <5% of population).
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.a: Promote investment in clean energy technology.	– Percentage of world’s solar panels potentially containing polysilicon from Xinjiang (97%).
SDG 4: Quality Education	4.1: Ensure all children complete free, equitable, and quality education.	– Mention of children who “should be in schools, not servitude.”
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.	– Reports of children born with birth defects from exposure to toxic metals in DRC mines.
SDG 1: No Poverty	1.4: Ensure equal rights to economic resources for the poor and vulnerable.	– Description of bonded labor as a “vicious cycle” trapping families in debt for generations.

Source: gisreportsonline.com