UK : analysis of the Modern Slavery Bill

Today, experts consider that modern slave trade represents between 60 and €100 billion, the third biggest lucrative market after drugs and arms. Another data is also impressive : there are more victims of slavery today than in the complete history of the transatlantic slave trade.

As you know modern slavery also exists in so called developed countries, including in the UK. That's why MPs are currently examining a new Modern Slavery Bill, with the aim for the Government to pass it before the general election. I would like to highlight this project.

"There were 1,746 victims found as slaves in the UK in 2013 coming from 112 different countries, up 47 per cent on the previous year

The largest number of modern slaves are women trafficked for sexual exploitation.

Behind that comes forced labour; trafficking of children for shoplifting, begging, pick-pocketing or ATM thefts; domestic servitude; and, finally, debt bondage."

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Slaves-living-working-Devon-today-says-MP/story-21458439-detail/story.html#ixzz37e68GxJS

Obviously, the aim of the Modern Slavery Bill is to enforce the law in order to combat the problem more effectively. The legislation will be simplified and consolidated at the same time under the new Act.

Concretely, the Modern Slavery Bill proposes :

Harsher punishments, such as increasing the maximum sentence available for offenders to life imprisonment.
To extend police and border force powers to recover the proceeds of modern slavery crime.
To establish an independent Anti-slavery Commissioner to help drive improvements and coordinate law enforcement response.

This new measures are good but the Bill is not perfect as Franck Field points it out.

"The lack of measures effectively to counter slavery in companies' supply chains is such a serious omission that parliament must do its best to rectify"

Frank Field, chairman of the committee that analysed the draft bill

To summarize it the project is a good initiative, it's the proof that major countries are able to recognize modern slavery still exists inside their borders. Now, we should hope and do as much as we can do to be sure that the bill will be the best as possible !

Follow me on Twitter : @SlaveryFight

More about slavery in the UK :

UK - Abuses against Migrant Domestic Workers - SlaveryFight.over-blog.com

UK - Abuses against Migrant Domestic Workers - SlaveryFight.over-blog.com

Migrant domestic workers accompanying their employers to the United Kingdom are being subjected to serious abuses including forced labor, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The UK ...

http://slaveryfight.over-blog.com/2014/05/uk-abuses-against-migrant-domestic-workers.html