Quantifying Forced Labor: Workers Subsidize Employers With Billions Of Dollars

Middle East

The issue of forced labor has long defied quantification at numerous levels: how many people work in conditions of modern-day slavery in supply chains? How much money do labor brokers earn from placing workers in forced labor situations? How much do government officials make from corrupt money flows? How much do employers ‘save’ by transferring costs to workers – and how is this reflected in the price paid by buyers? We are at the early stage of answering some of these queries.