Minderoo (Agenzia Fides) – About 46 million people, including millions of children, are currently living in conditions of modern slavery. This is what was highlighted in a study released by the Australian Foundation Walk Free sent to Agenzia Fides. The appalling figure involves 167 Countries, India tops the list. The phenomenon includes human trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation, early or forced marriages. 58% of people, 18 million, who live in these conditions are in India, followed by China (3 million), Pakistan (2 million), Bangladesh (1 million and a half) and Uzbekistan (1 million). In India most of the people involved work in homes, or are beggars, prostitutes and child soldiers. There are also those forced to work to repay their debts for a loan. Walk Free, which has just presented the World Index of Slavery 2016, showed an increase compared to last year of 10 million people who are considered to be modern slaves, an increase of 28%. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 01/06/2016)
