C4D Network

Global community of professionals working in Communication for Development

Advanced Search
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Community
  • Recruiting
  • Consulting
  • Capacity
  • .
    • Consultancy
      • Network Community
        • Members
        • Country Chapters
    • Learning
      • C4D Know-How
      • C4D in Action
      • Learning Resources
      • C4D Development Topics
    • Service Providers
    • News & Events
      • Newsfeed
      • Events
      • Opportunities

The Modern Slavery Trap: Bonded Labour (IDS Briefing, 2018)

May 20, 2018

The IDS briefing entitled The Modern Slavery Trap: Bonded Labour highlights is based on research conducted with villagers in Nepal and India by IDS research fellows Pauline Oosterhoff and Danny Burns, supported by the Freedom Fund.

Its key recommendations include prioritising support for local officials to enforce existing laws on bonded labour; and developing inclusive, community approaches to tackling bonded labour, as it derives from dynamics of whole families and communities – warning that focusing on individuals will have limited impact.

Generations within marginalised communities most affected

The briefing highlights that bonded labour disproportionately affects communities living in poverty that are historically socially and economically marginalised.

Generations within families in bonded labour can find themselves trapped in a cycle of bonded labour. For example, if adults who are already in bonded labour require further loans, they will often have to offer their child’s labour to repay the additional debt – thus trapping the next generation into bonded labour. Family members can also become bonded labourers through inherited debt when original debtors within their family die.

Participatory data provides critical insights into bonded labour

Participatory research involving the gathering of ‘life stories’ from villagers, revealed key factors leading households in particular areas of Nepal into debt bondage and also weaknesses in policy implementation that is enabling the prevalence of bonded labour to persist.

Click here for full report.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Economic & Livelihoods, India, Nepal, Participation, Social Mobilisation Tagged With: Bonded Labour, Marginalisation, Participatory Research

Site Navigation

Join C4D
Contact Us
Get Involved
Facebook Group
LinkedIn Group

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Social Networks

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Communication for Development Network
Registered address:
Finsbury House, New Street,
Chipping Norton, Oxon, OX7 5LL, UK
E-mail [email protected]
Non-profit Company Number: 7734410

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 C4D Network · Website by IndigoBird