Free the Slaves

?? 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery—an alarming increase of 10 million since 2016. Traffickers exploit digital platforms, climate crises, and financial systems to perpetuate forced labor, leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk. Despite global commitments like SDG Target 8.7, progress has slowed. Our latest blog explores these interconnected challenges and highlights actionable solutions through global collaboration and innovation. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gF_B7-VD

Mithilesh’s leadership has been crucial in changing how his community approaches migration. As the village head, he has helped ensure that families have the right information and resources to protect themselves before making life-changing decisions to work abroad. ????? Thanks to initiatives led by Verité, supported by Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, more communities are now empowered to avoid unsafe migration practices. Watch this video to see how Mithilesh’s efforts are making a real difference—and how these projects can continue to grow with your help. ?? Today is the last day of our empowering migrant workers in India campaign. Download our free ebook to read more stories like Mithilesh’s. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

“Before, people had no information and relied on agents, but now, after learning through the project, they migrate the right way and pay less,” says Mithilesh, the village head of Mahathua in Uttar Pradesh. As a community leader, Mithilesh has seen firsthand how a lack of information left people vulnerable to exploitation. Thanks to the projects, that’s starting to change. ????? For years, families in rural areas relied on local labor agents, paying high fees without understanding their rights or the process of legal migration. This lack of information led many into debt and unsafe working conditions abroad. The Promoting Migrant Workers Rights in India and FFACT projects, led by Verité in collaboration with Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, have focused on empowering communities through education, outreach, and support networks. By providing clear, practical information and resources, these initiatives help ensure that individuals know their rights and can make safer, informed decisions. Leaders like Mithilesh are taking this knowledge forward, ensuring that people in their communities are better equipped to navigate the migration process. But there’s still more work to be done. ????? ?? Thank you for joining us this week. Download our free ebook to read Mithilesh’s story and learn more about how these projects are making an impact https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

Rahul’s story highlights the importance of understanding your rights before migrating. After borrowing money to pay recruitment fees, he found himself working 12-hour days under harsh conditions abroad. Now, thanks to the information he gained from the project, he knows what to look for and how to protect himself in the future. ???? Many migrants, like Rahul, are deceived about the nature of the work and conditions they’ll face abroad. The initiatives led by Verité, with support from Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, provide vital education on how to verify job contracts, understand recruitment fees, and avoid exploitative practices. By empowering individuals with knowledge, these projects help ensure safer migration pathways. Watch this video to hear more about Rahul’s experience and how he’s using what he learned to help others make informed, safer choices. ????? ?? Download our free ebook to read more about Rahul’s journey and see how these projects are making a real difference. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

“When I reached Dubai, I found out we had to work 12 hours a day, and the living conditions were nothing like what we expected,” shares Rahul from Tulapur village, Uttar Pradesh. Rahul’s experience abroad was a harsh reminder of how unsafe migration can lead to exploitation. After borrowing money to pay recruitment fees, he found himself trapped in difficult conditions far from home. ???? Many migrant workers face misleading promises about job opportunities, only to discover harsh working conditions and long hours once they arrive abroad. Without the right information and proper contracts, they are left vulnerable to exploitation and often struggle to repay debts taken on to cover recruitment fees. The initiatives led by Verité, in collaboration with Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, aim to address this issue by educating migrant workers about their rights, proper documentation, and the risks of deceptive recruitment practices. Through community workshops, training, and guides, these projects help individuals understand how to avoid unsafe migration conditions. Since participating in the project’s awareness campaigns, Rahul has learned how to reduce the risks associated with migration. He is now sharing his experiences with others, ensuring they have the information needed to make better decisions and avoid the challenges he faced. ?????? ?? Want to learn more? Download our free ebook to read Rahul’s story and discover how these projects are creating safer pathways for migrants. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

Sonu’s story is deeply personal. After his brother was sent abroad on a tourist visa and faced many challenges, Sonu wanted to make sure others in his village didn’t face the same fate. Through his work with the Migration Vigilance Committee (MVC), he’s helping families understand the importance of legal documentation and safe migration practices. ????? One of the biggest risks migrant workers face is being sent abroad without proper work visas. The project led by Verité, with support from Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, addresses this issue by educating communities about safe migration, ensuring they understand how to check their visas and protect themselves from deceptive practices. Watch this video to see how Sonu is making a difference in his community by empowering others with the knowledge they need to migrate safely. ???? ?? Download our free ebook to read more about Sonu’s journey and learn how these projects are making an impact across Uttar Pradesh. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

“Now, people ask to see the visa—whether it's a tourist visa or an employment visa—before they decide to migrate,” says Sonu from Anantpur village in Uttar Pradesh. After seeing his own brother struggle abroad, Sonu joined the local Migration Vigilance Committee (MVC) to help spread awareness about safe migration. ???? Many migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh are misled by agents who send them abroad on tourist visas, leaving them without legal work status and vulnerable to exploitation. Without the correct information, families often fall victim to these deceptive practices. These workers rights initiatives, led by Verité in partnership with Free the Slaves and MSEMVS, focus on educating communities about their rights and providing tools to verify legal documentation. Through local committees like the MVCs, the projects ensure that individuals have access to accurate information before they migrate, helping them make safer, informed choices. Thanks to leaders like Sonu and the resources provided by these projects, more people are now able to avoid unsafe migration practices. By verifying their documents and understanding their rights, they can reduce their risks and secure better futures for their families. ???? ?? Want to learn more? Download our free ebook to read Sonu’s story and discover how these projects have empowered communities across India. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

Rajesh’s story is a reminder of how critical it is to have the right information before deciding to migrate. When his brother was overcharged by a labor agent, their family struggled to pay back the debt. Now, thanks to the knowledge he gained through the CVC, Rajesh is helping his community avoid similar situations. ????? Since 2020, the projects led by Verité, with support from Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, have reached over 7,000 individuals across Uttar Pradesh, raising awareness about safe migration practices. By providing education, tools, and support, these initiatives have empowered local leaders to spread critical information and advocate for fair treatment. Watch this video to see how Rajesh’s experience has inspired him to become an advocate workers rights, helping others make informed decisions and avoid exploitation. ?? Discover more powerful stories like Rajesh’s in our free ebook, where we share the experiences of six individuals who have been transformed through these projects. Download now to learn how these initiatives are making a real difference. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

“We weren’t aware of the recruitment fees or agreements, and my family ended up paying 80,000 INR,” shares Rajesh from Tulapur village in Uttar Pradesh. When Rajesh’s brother first migrated abroad, their family trusted a local agent without knowing the hidden costs and risks involved. Like many others, they fell into debt due to overcharged recruitment fees. ??? Through the Community Vigilance Committee (CVC), Rajesh learned about the government-mandated recruitment fees, visa requirements, and proper documentation. Now, he’s on a mission to share this knowledge with others in his community, ensuring that others don’t fall into the same traps. ???? For years, migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh have been exploited by deceptive practices during the recruitment process, facing high fees and lack of proper documentation, leading to debt and dangerous conditions abroad. The initiative led by Verité, in collaboration with Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, aim to tackle this issue by providing comprehensive education and support through local networks like the CVCs. By equipping communities with critical information, these projects help prevent exploitation and promote safer migration pathways. ?? Want to know more? Download our free ebook, which highlights the journeys of six individuals like Rajesh who’ve been empowered to protect themselves and their families through these projects. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/

Ram’s story is one of courage and empowerment. When a local agent tried to send him abroad on a tourist visa, Ram refused, thanks to the information he learned through the Community Vigilance Committee (CVC). This decision protected him from potential exploitation and dangerous conditions. ????? Watch this video to see how Ram’s newfound knowledge helped him navigate the migration process safely. Initiatives led by Verité, with support from Free the Slaves and MSEMVS in India, continue to empower communities like Ram’s, giving them the tools they need to make informed decisions and avoid exploitation. ?? Discover more powerful stories like Ram’s in our free ebook, where we share the experiences of six individuals who have been transformed through these projects. Download now to learn how these initiatives are making a real difference. https://lnkd.in/g4Uxksq6 https://verite.org/ffact/