Employmentweb_low

eMployMent relations and health inequalities: pathways and MechanisMs
great assistance in improving global statistics. hence, these types
of figures would help to monitor the situation of child labourers
better, and to elabourate policies and programs for the eradication
of child labour.
slavery and bonded labour
• Knowledge on forced labour and its health dimensions is still
very limited due to its secrecy, inadequate understanding and lack
of proactive roles of concerned authorities.
• studies on slavery and bonded labour have mainly given a
qualitative picture of disease patterns and the role of social
determinants. There is little understanding, however, of the
demand pattern for forced labour in different sectors. hence, it is
necessary to construct detailed spatial and temporal analyses of
existing and emerging regions of economic growth centres and the
movement of the child labour force.
• as long as the victims can deliver physical work and service,
they have a chance at survival. But once they become old and are
physically disabled, their plight is destitute. Therefore, there is a
need for further study exploring its geriatric health dimension.
• studies show that law enforcement, social service providers and
lawyers have a better understanding of trafficking and forced labour,
but there is a need for more institutionalised research and outreach
activities concerning case detection and management which should
involve medical professionals, social workers and cooperating
employer organisations as well. There is a need to pay more attention
to the economic and political dimensions that promote and sustain
bonded and slave labour, as well as its health consequences. new
legal and enforcement action is urgently needed.
• future research should identify the precise health and medical
consequences of forced labour including the nature of the maladies
and their durations, the best practices for identifying and
administering services to survivors, and the level of recovery to be
expected following treatment. This information should be used to
develop screening protocols to help health care professionals
identify pre-existing or potential health problems. research should
be conducted to determine what kinds of follow-up health care
would be needed for survivors who choose to return to their
countries of origin as well as how to solicit survivor’s active
participation so that future programs will meet the needs of
survivors from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• There is need for research on new forms of displaced persons, also
known as “environmental refugees” (along with political refugees and
Altana and her daughter are free people
thanks to the efforts of a local nGo. though
they live in another region of the country now,
they still feel like slaves and live in fear of
their former master (niger).
source: © ilo/M. crozet (2003)
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