IEyeNews

iLocal News Archives

A year of wins in the fight against modern slavery

By Joanna Ewart-James, Freedom United
Yesterday (19), on International Human Solidarity Day, we celebrate the incredible power of collective action. This year, we’ve achieved groundbreaking victories that are reshaping the global fight against modern slavery. None of this would have been possible without you—helping power the dedicated Freedom United community. 
Together, we’re proving that solidarity is not just a principle; it’s a force for real, lasting change.
A BREAKTHROUGH YEAR FOR CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
*In March, Unilever and Mondelez—the global leaders in consumer goods—yielded to our persistent pressure and finally joined the Chocolate Scorecard. This empowers consumers to demand ethical sourcing practices and proves that we have the power to hold companies accountable for labor exploitation, including forced child labor. 
 *By May, the E.U. endorsed binding corporate accountability lawsThanks to our advocacy, under the new law, companies must provide a living income for farmers, addressing poverty and modern slavery in their supply chains. This is an important first step towards a fairer, more sustainable future for cocoa farmers and their communities.
*Then, in November, the E.U. doubled down on its commitment by enacting a groundbreaking law banning products made with forced labor, including those linked to Uyghur exploitation. Thousands of you emailed E.U. representatives to push for this bold step that not only ensures ethical supply chains within the E.U. but also sets a global benchmark for responsible trade.  
STATES FROM ACROSS THE US TOOK ACTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION
*With thousands of shares and signatures on our petition to ban child marriage in the U.S., Virginia became the first Southern state—and the 12th in the nation—to raise the minimum marriage age to 18, followed by New Hampshire’s move in June to eliminate all exceptions for child marriage. These victories dismantle outdated laws that perpetuate forced marriage, and reaffirm that children everywhere deserve the chance to grow up free from abuse.   
 
*Meanwhile, in November, seven states took a stand against a troubling national trend of weakening child labor laws,choosing instead to bolster protections for young workers. These successes underscore our community’s steadfast commitment to pushing for stronger federal regulations to close gaps exploited by unethical employers.  
HARD THOUGHT WINS FOR VULNERABLE WORKERS AND FNDING FORCED LABOUR
*October brought a hard-fought win, powered by solidarity, with the release of journalist Mech Dara on bail. Days after his arrest having exposed forced labor in scamming centers, thousands of you sent messages to the Cambodian authorities calling for his release. His freedom is a testament to the strength of global solidarity, underscoring the critical role of media in exposing exploitation and holding power to account.   
 
*In November, Nevada made history when voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to ban slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. This decision strikes at the heart of systemic injustice, addressing the legacies of slavery and exploitative practices within the U.S. prison system that we have been actively campaigning against. 
 
*In the same month, Volkswagen announced its exit from the Uyghur Region. Freedom United has been at the forefront of this issue, launching a campaign, protesting, and handing in our petition with thousands of signatures, urging Volkswagen to commit to ethical supply chains and calling on them to cut ties with Uyghur forced labor. This achievement signals the effectiveness of collective action, demonstrating that when communities unite to demand accountability, companies take notice. 
These victories are a testament to what we can achieve together. Each petition signed, event attended, and campaign you amplified plays a critical role in making these changes possible. Your commitment to our shared mission inspires us to aim higher and fight harder.  

As we look ahead to 2025, we need your action and support to fuel our campaigns and secure even greater wins. We’re counting on the strength of our community to keep the momentum going.  Please consider setting up a regular gift today, if you have not already, to help ensure we can keep up the momentum and expand our fight against modern slavery through 2025. 
Donate
Alternatively a one-time donation to close out 2024 could make a big difference in ensuring we’re ready to take our campaigns to the next level in the new year. Together, we can achieve even greater victories. 

Thank you for being an essential part of this movement. Let’s continue to stand together in solidarity to create a world free from modern slavery. 

In solidarity,Joanna and the team that supports the Freedom United community.
Joanna Ewart-James
Executive Director, Freedom United

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *