Frank Field campaigns against evil of 'modern slavery'

1:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News By Geoff Barnes

Frank Field campaigns against evil of 'modern slavery' Frank Field campaigns against evil of 'modern slavery'

Birkenhead MP Frank Field has written to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for human trafficking be renamed ‘modern slavery’ to “open people’s eyes to the evil of the crime”.

There are more people trapped in modern slavery today than during the entire 350 year history of the slave trade. The International Labour Organisation has estimated that there are nearly 21m victims of modern slavery across the world.

In Britain, and the Western world, slavery has long been assumed to be a thing of the past, and governments unintentionally encourage this view by calling today’s slavery ‘human trafficking’.

As a result, many people do not recognise slavery or think of it as a present part of their own community.

Speaking at the launch of a major new report on modern slavery by the Centre for Social Justice, Mr Field claimed language was one tool that could be used to fight the trade.

He said: “We have developed ‘human trafficking’ as a euphemism to avoid the much more emotive but accurate term of modern slavery.

"I doubt whether Wilberforce [politician who lead the movement to abolish the slave trade] would have made much impression if his cry had been to abolish human trafficking.

"I have therefore written to the Prime Minister urging the government officially to adopt the term modern slavery so that this crime receives the attention it deserves. This is a vital first step in realising Wilberforce’s dream of freeing Britain of slavery.

“Indeed President Obama has stated that human trafficking “must be called by its true name: modern slavery”.

Comments(11)

reliant22 says...
4:10pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Wirral MP`s would be servicing their Borough a lot better if they focussed their attention and take action against what is reportedly totally wrong within Birkenhead Town Hall.
Ther`s not much `Social Justice` or any other kind of justice being served up there!

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elbmek says...
4:21pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I have not had a rise for a very long time - thats slavery in the UK. Costs have spiralled in same time, my spending power is diminishing daily. I agree about Bhead, the services they get are pathetic.

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bigfoot says...
5:26pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Does bullying and threatening people with the the sack if they don't sign a revamped job agreement which entails more work,less money and worse working conditions,count as slavery

It reminds me of a notice on a wall years ago, "They don't sack anyone here- slaves are sold!"
Frank look at what your party colleagues in WBC are doing in the name of Labour policies.

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Positive thinker says...
5:33pm Mon 11 Mar 13

I can't believe anyone takes a blind bit of notice of the garbage Frankie boy talks

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Hugo1008 says...
6:04pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Sir Frank of the Fields, has a unique way of turning his attentions to the problems brought about by actions of the rich and famous, and of course ensures he gets maximum publicity in the media.

Yet when it come to local the downright scandalous behaviour inflicted on the local population, he is less than keen to get involved.

Disgraceful devious and cruel actions that have taken place in Wirral for the most part under some very inept Labour Party Councilors, do not seem to concern Sir Frank in the slightest.

Recent very dubious decisions relating to the totally discredited local Council Officers and some close associates of Sir Frank have not even raised a manicured eyebrow.

Sir Frank of the Fields just looks after himself first, second, and last and is a disgrace to Democratic Politics, by condoning, and supporting the ones in WBC who he knows are less than useless to the Wirral Ratepayers.

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reliant22 says...
6:37pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Hugo1008
You are so right!

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spamfiend says...
7:37pm Mon 11 Mar 13

If Mr Fields spent as much time and effort looking out of his own front door and see the issues and problems that we the people of Wirral are facing then he might do something about that but obviously does not give enough ego boosting kudos to himself so why would he bother about us?

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craigot89 says...
10:00pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Frank the people of Wirral wont forget your idleness when they came under attack from this tory government. Hopefully one day we can select a candidate for Birkenhead who will fight for its constituents rather than a washed up thatcher idolising leech who has took peoples votes for granted for too long in this town.

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PaulCa says...
10:12am Tue 12 Mar 13

Headline should read:

Tory in Torylite clothing consolidates vote.

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Casey Jones01 says...
12:42pm Tue 12 Mar 13

From Parliament's own website;

"Interns;
Many graduates become interns for an MP, Lord or a political organisation (who recruit and employ them directly). Internships are usually unpaid, though many receive expenses. This is a popular route to gain experience for future careers."

unpaid internships - does this count as slave labour Frank?

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bickyboy says...
5:59pm Wed 13 Mar 13

I'd be more impressed by Frank's pronouncements on this topic if he went on to say what most people know but few will admit in public; that human trafficking in this country is largely the preserve of our more recent "guests"; people who came here from countries where its considered fair game to buy and sell human beings for money.

We've imported some distinctly dodgy practices in our involuntary quest to become the second Rainbow Nation.

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