News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Theresa-May-April-2017-main_article_image.jpg
PA
UK News

Christian charity welcomes PM's 'moral courage' to tackle modern day slavery

by Eno Adeogun

Theresa May is announcing a new transparency registry at a UN summit in Switzerland that will include listing companies using slaves - so shoppers are aware.

The plans also include £10m of government funding to prevent children in Africa being exploited by the farming industry.

 

David Westlake, CEO of anti slavery organisation IJM told Premier: "Well, I want to start by saying this is an area where Theresa May has actually made a stand and led the world really in terms of naming modern slavery as an issue.

"In your News Hour, today, well, while this 60 minutes goes on, 120 children will be sold into slavery. And that's sold into sweatshops and factories and brothels, and of course children should be in families and playgrounds and schools.

"This is an area where she has had some moral courage and led the world."

In 2014, the Home Office estimated there was between 10,000 and 13,000 potential victims in the UK - just 2,340 of those were officially reported and recorded.

Mrs May, who stepped down as leader of the governing Conservative Party earlier this month, is also due to call on world leaders to face up to their "moral duty" and take action to halt modern slavery.

Speaking at the United Nations' International Labour Organisation centenary conference in Geneva, Mrs May will urge business and political representatives to do more to protect the millions of people being held and forced to work against their will. 

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

She is expected to say: "No leader worthy of the name can look the other way while men, women and children are held against their will, forced to work for a pittance or no pay at all, routinely beaten, raped and tortured.

"So, those of us who can speak out, who have a platform from which to be heard, have a duty, a moral duty, to raise our voices on their behalf."

Mr Westlake said it is important for consumers to ask questions when making purchases, such as: "Who made the clothes I wear? Who picked and processed the food I eat? Was slavery involved in that?"

Mrs May will argue it is "more important than ever" to "accelerate" the fight against modern slavery and "do all that we can to meet the UN's goal of ending this abhorrent crime by 2030".

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate