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A very modern institution

Slavery is now illegal in every country in the world, but there are more slaves today than ever before.

Pakistan, India and Nepal are home to the largest number of slaves in the world - an estimated 18 million [GALLO/GETTY]
Pakistan, India and Nepal are home to the largest number of slaves in the world - an estimated 18 million [GALLO/GETTY]
6 Oct 2011
Aid agencies estimate that around 11 million Pakistani children aged between four and 14 are in the labour force and that half of these are under the age of 10 [GALLO/GETTY]
Aid agencies estimate that around 11 million Pakistani children aged between four and 14 are in the labour force and that half of these are under the age of 10 [GALLO/GETTY]
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These children make up a quarter of the unskilled work force, earning on average a third of the adult wage [GALLO/GETTY]
These children make up a quarter of the unskilled work force, earning on average a third of the adult wage [GALLO/GETTY]
Many of these children work in the country(***)s brick industry [GALLO/GETTY]
Many of these children work in the country(***)s brick industry [GALLO/GETTY]
They are often held as bonded labour, which can see generations of one family working in brick kilns to repay small loans [GALLO/GETTY]
They are often held as bonded labour, which can see generations of one family working in brick kilns to repay small loans [GALLO/GETTY]
Pakistan(***)s high birth rate makes the country(***)s child slave pool all but inexhaustible [GALLO/GETTY]
Pakistan(***)s high birth rate makes the country(***)s child slave pool all but inexhaustible [GALLO/GETTY]
Nine-year-old Mehar Jana works at a brick kiln near Peshawar in Pakistan [EPA]
Nine-year-old Mehar Jana works at a brick kiln near Peshawar in Pakistan [EPA]
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Environmental pollution laws are completely ignored in Pakistan, where more than 50 brick kilns located in and around the city of Peshawar alone, are violating the ban on the harmful use of rubber material as a fuel in kilns [EPA]
Environmental pollution laws are completely ignored in Pakistan, where more than 50 brick kilns located in and around the city of Peshawar alone, are violating the ban on the harmful use of rubber material as a fuel in kilns [EPA]
The children often work in squalid conditions [EPA]
The children often work in squalid conditions [EPA]
Many miles away, in Haiti, crushing poverty has seen thousands of children being placed in the abusive and exploitative system of child slavery called (***)Restavek(***) [GALLO/GETTY]
Many miles away, in Haiti, crushing poverty has seen thousands of children being placed in the abusive and exploitative system of child slavery called (***)Restavek(***) [GALLO/GETTY]
In India, modern-day slavery often takes the form of bridal slavery, where millions of young women are sold into marriage before the legal age of 18 [EPA]
In India, modern-day slavery often takes the form of bridal slavery, where millions of young women are sold into marriage before the legal age of 18 [EPA]
Sex slaves make up an estimated six to eight per cent of the global slave trade. Prostitution is a thriving business in the Czech Republic, making it a major transit point for criminal gangs trafficking women from eastern Europe into western Europe [GALLO/GETTY]
Sex slaves make up an estimated six to eight per cent of the global slave trade. Prostitution is a thriving business in the Czech Republic, making it a major transit point for criminal gangs trafficking women from eastern Europe into western Europe [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2003, Israeli police arrested 54 women during raids on brothels, most of whom were from eastern Europe and Russia, brought to Israel as sex slaves and sold to brothels for about $5,000 each [GALLO/GETTY]
In 2003, Israeli police arrested 54 women during raids on brothels, most of whom were from eastern Europe and Russia, brought to Israel as sex slaves and sold to brothels for about $5,000 each [GALLO/GETTY]
Filipino (***)comfort women(***) protest to highlight the plight of women who were used as sex slaves by Japanese soldiers during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
Filipino (***)comfort women(***) protest to highlight the plight of women who were used as sex slaves by Japanese soldiers during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
According to historical documents, approximately 200,000 Asian women and young girls were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
According to historical documents, approximately 200,000 Asian women and young girls were forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
(***)Comfort women(***), most of whom are now in their 80s, have been campaigning for recognition and compensation by the Japanese government [GALLO/GETTY]
(***)Comfort women(***), most of whom are now in their 80s, have been campaigning for recognition and compensation by the Japanese government [GALLO/GETTY]
Eighty-year-old Gil Won Ok from South Korea was held as a sex slave by the Japanese military during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
Eighty-year-old Gil Won Ok from South Korea was held as a sex slave by the Japanese military during World War II [GALLO/GETTY]
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