Inaction could lead to a sharp rise in the number of people pushed into slavery because of the COVID-19 crisis, whose severe economic effects are likely to increase the scourge of modern-day slavery, which already impacted 40 million people before the pandemic began, said Tomoya Obokata, who assumed the role of Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery on May 1.
He said the widespread lockdown of businesses has led to high levels of unemployment in many parts of the world, pushing previously vulnerable workers into an even more precarious situation or into illegal activities.
He said swift action to address this issue is vital if the world is to achieve the targets set by the Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate slavery by 2030.