BASED on available references, “compelled labor” appears to be the most definition of modern slavery, as we know it today.
“Human trafficking” also appears to be a closely related term, wherein it is implied that those who are “trafficked” are “compelled” to do work against their free will, and as a matter of fact, to do work in places that against their free choice.
Of course, it may just be a matter of semantics, but the term “compelled labor” is also closely associated with two other terms, namely “involuntary servitude” and “forced labor”.
Well, we may be struggling with the true meanings and interpretations of these words, but fortunately for us, we do not have to suffer the real pains brought about by these illegal practices.
Pardon my extremely liberal interpretation of these terms, but I happen to think that one way or the other, many of our compatriots who are working abroad as domestic helpers may actually be considered as “modern slaves”, simply because they have been “compelled” to work under those conditions.
Of course it could be said that having ended up in those conditions have been the result of “voluntary” processes, but still it could not be denied that what they are doing is plainly and simply “servitude” no matter how you look at it, because they are clearly working as “servants”, rather than as “professional employees” or better still, as “service providers”.
Of course, I might be talking figuratively, but to put it in very layman terms, it would appear that these compatriots of ours could practically be considered as “modern slaves”.
Certainly I would not say that this observation does not apply to everyone in general, but then again it could be said that generally speaking, it is more of the rule rather than the exception.
Where there are some doubts as to whether these compatriots of ours were able to exercise free will in their choices or not, what we are really sure about is that these compatriots who are forcibly transferred from one country to another in violation of their contracts are in effect victims of “human trafficking”.
It may be too tempting for us to think that modern slavery happens only to our compatriots who are working abroad, but the fact is, modern slavery is also happening here at home too, right under our own noses. (To be continued)/PN
