A United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking committee has released a new study, “The Cost of Coercion,” on the patterns of forced labor worldwide.

The study followed up on a 2005 Global Report on Forced Labor, which included figures stating that 12.3 million people worldwide worked in some kind of forced labor or bondage, including 9.4 million people in Asia and 2.4 million people working in forced labor as a result of human trafficking. That 2005 study had also found that 56 percent of those working in forced labor were women and children.

The new 2009 study concluded that although building blocks to eradicate human trafficking are in place–including proactive labor rights groups, a judicial system more aware of the problem, earlier identification of at-risk demographics, and an increased international media focus on the problem–the momentum must be increased. The study further recommended greater understanding of systemic causes underlying human trafficking.

Chapter 2 of the report addressed regional problems with human trafficking, including Asia. The study identified three major problems in Asia: the persistence of bonded labor systems, widespread trafficking of children and adults, and the unfortunate role of government and official institutions perpetuating human trafficking.

Awareness of trafficking children and women to urban areas in Asia for the purposes of prostitution has risen, the study found, but this is “less well understood” by governments.

To read the report in full, visit the link to the UN.GIFT website below. The first page appears blank, but scroll down to read the title and subsequent report.

http://www.ungift.org/docs/ungift/Steering-committee/ILO_Report_2009.pdf