What Is Bonded Labor?

Anyone who has done any research into human trafficking knows that it is a widespread problem that spans many different aspects of life. The most commonly known type of human trafficking is sex trafficking, and even that takes many different forms. Today, I'd like to talk about a form of labor trafficking called "Bonded Labor." Bonded labor occurs when someone sacrifices their freedom in order to pay off a debt.

These debts can be incurred personally or inherited from a family member and can often be made to look like a simple agreement of employment. As the person begins to work to pay off their debt, however, the trafficker begins to add on additional fees for things such as a place to live and food. Each day the victim is working becomes another expense added to their debt, essentially making it impossible to truly pay off. This growing debt can then be passed down to the family members of the original borrower, creating a generational chain of slavery. 

Bonded labor can be found all over the world, but is most common in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. This doesn't mean that it is absent from the United States, however. Wherever there is someone in need, there is the opportunity for someone to swoop in an exploit them.

To find out more about Bonded Labor and, please visit EndSlaveryNow.org