Forced Labour: Facts and Figures - The Cost of Coercion, Regional Perspectives: AMERICAS
Latin America accounts for the second largest number of forced labourers in the world after Asia, according to ILO estimates. Those most at risk are migrant workers in sweatshops, agriculture and domestic service. The main form of forced labour is through debt bondage, involving informal and unlicensed intermediaries who pay advances to entice workers and then reap profits through inflated charges. Forced labour in Latin America is closely linked to patterns of inequality and discrimination, especially against indigenous peoples.
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- New ILO report says “cost of coercion” to workers in forced labour surpasses USD 20 billion per year
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Type Fact sheet Date issued 2009 Unit responsible Communication and Public Information Subjects forced labour Download English - pdf 37 KB