By Sardar Khan Niazi

When most people hear the word slavery, their minds instinctively drift to history books: images of shackles, colonial plantations, and human auctions. However, slavery is not just a stain on humanity’s past — it is a living, breathing reality for millions today. Far from being abolished, slavery has simply adapted, taking on modern disguises that make it harder to detect and even harder to eradicate. Today, modern-day slavery affects an estimated 50 million people globally, according to the International Labor Organization. These are not just numbers — they are human lives caught in systems of exploitation, forced labor, and debt bondage, often under the guise of legitimate employment. From sweatshops to brick kilns in Pakistan, to domestic work in the Gulf, and to agricultural labor in Europe, slavery persists, hidden in plain sight. In our interconnected global economy, modern slavery often lurks at the bottom of supply chains. Brands based in Europe and North America outsource their production to factories in the Global South, where labor is cheap, and oversight is minimal. In many such factories, workers — including children — toil long hours for wages far below any acceptable living standard. Employers confiscate passports, impose recruitment fees, or threaten violence to prevent workers from leaving. These tactics are not incidental; they are systematic tools of control. Pakistan is no stranger to this crisis. Despite constitutional protections and labor laws, bonded labor continues to thrive in the country’s agricultural fields, brick kilns, and textile workshops. Entire families are trapped in a cycle of debt passed down through generations. These debts, often inflated or fictitious, become a justification for forced work under inhumane conditions. The 1992 Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act exists, but enforcement remains weak, and victims rarely have the means to seek justice. Part of the problem lies in how modern slavery is normalized. Workers are often unaware of their rights or too afraid to speak out. Employers exploit their vulnerability, particularly among migrant workers and marginalized communities. In countries with poor labor regulation and rampant poverty, the line between employment and exploitation becomes dangerously blurred. Furthermore, the language we use — or avoid — helps conceal the problem. We talk about cheap labor or low-cost production, without asking why the cost is so low. We admire fast fashion for its affordability without questioning the human price behind every stitch. This linguistic sanitization enables modern slavery to thrive without moral scrutiny. But this crisis is not insurmountable. Change begins with awareness and accountability. Governments must strengthen labor inspections, enforce existing laws, and ensure that traffickers and exploiters face real consequences. Corporations must be held responsible for their supply chains through mandatory human rights due diligence. Civil society must continue to advocate for the voiceless, provide legal aid to victims, and educate vulnerable communities about their rights. Consumers, too, have a role to play. Every purchasing decision is a moral one. Supporting ethical brands, questioning where and how products are made, and demanding transparency from companies are powerful tools in the fight against exploitation. Modern slavery may be harder to spot than the chattel slavery of the past, but its impact is just as devastating. Behind the glossy sheen of global commerce lies a grim reality — one that we cannot afford to ignore. Until we confront it head-on, millions will remain in bondage, their freedom sacrificed at the altar of profit. Present-day slavery, repeatedly linked with the past, remains a severe problem today, with noticeable displays in the workplace around the world. It is time to remove the blindfold and recognize modern slavery for what it is: a grave human rights violation that demands urgent, global action.