Millions exploited in global industry

July 28, 2015 - Democratic lawmakers and rights groups are accusing the U.S. State Department of politicizing its annual rankings of nations on their efforts to combat modern-day slavery, as key trading partner Malaysia was taken off a blacklist.

Related Graphics

View More

Mayflower and the birth of a nation

Britain confronts its inglorious past

World leaders falling short on gender equality commitments

World leaders falling short on gender equality commitments

Modern-day slavery on the rise

Modern-day slavery on the rise

Progress towards gender equality

Progress towards gender equality

Modern slavery in the UK

Global index on slavery 2013

Millions still living in slavery

21st century slavery

Conditions on slave ship

Abolition slavery anniversary

Cuba was also given an upgrade, a week after the U.S. and Cuba formally restored diplomatic relations, ending a half-century of estrangement.

But Thailand, downgraded with Malaysia last year because of pervasive labour abuses in its lucrative fishing industry, remained stuck on “tier 3” – the lowest ranking in the department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

Secretary of State John Kerry formally launched the annual U.S. assessment of how 188 governments around the world have performed in fighting the flesh trade and other forms of exploitative labour, which he described as a “battle against money.”