U.S. considers ban on cotton from Uyghur Region
| September 13, 2020 News Digest |
| OUR CAMPAIGN ISSUES IN THE NEWS |
Law & Policy
U.S. prepares to block cotton imports from Uyghur Region
Last week, Freedom United signed a petition calling on the U.S. to block cotton imports from the Uyghur Region on account of the pervasive system of forced labor present there. Less than a week later, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has moved to accept our demands with a withhold-release order that would be unprecedented in scale. Read more…
Speak Free
Eritrea and forced labor: a history in photos
Martin Plaut, the former BBC World Service Africa editor and author of ‘Understanding Eritrea,’ contributes to Freedom United’s Speak Free blog with a photographic journey through Eritrea’s history. Learn more about the context to the present system of state-sanctioned forced labor whereby Eritreans spend long stretches of their adult lives in modern slavery. Freedom United will be joined by Martin and Eritrea Focus chairman Habte Hagos in an upcoming webinar in early October. More details coming soon!
TOP NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Domestic slavery
By failing to protect domestic workers, U.K. may simply be “importing abuse”
Under the current system in the U.K., overseas domestic workers are effectively tied to their employers once in the country, creating an avoidable risk of exploitation. Overseas domestic workers’ visas are capped at six months and leave many at risk of becoming undocumented if they escape an abusive employer. Domestic workers who are referred as potential victims of modern slavery face an average wait of 2 years before being recognized, during which time they are prevented from working due to their precarious immigration status.
If you are a U.K. resident, sign the petition urging the U.K. to ensure overseas domestic workers are protected from exploitation.
Read more
| Domestic slavery Beirut’s domestic workers struggling to survive in aftermath of explosion Read more COVID-19 Further warnings of modern slavery risk in U.K. post-pandemic economic slump Read more |
Our team relies on donations from supporters, like you, to continue our crucial work. Can you make a one-off or monthly gift to Freedom United? Donate Overseas domestic workers in the U.K. are effectively tied to their employers, creating an unnecessary risk of modern slavery and exploitation. The Voice of Domestic Workers and Kalayaan are calling on the U.K. to reinstate the pre-2012 Overseas Domestic Worker visa that would better protect and empower migrant workers to escape exploitative employers. If you’re a resident in the U.K., add your name to the petition here. |
