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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > December 6, 2006
Manpower joins campaign to end modern slavery
Published December 6, 2006 - BizTimes Daily
Glendale-based Manpower Inc. today joined the fight to end modern day slavery and asked other companies to help end human trafficking.
In January, Manpower was the first global corporation to sign up to the Athens Ethical Principles, which declare a "zero tolerance" policy for working with any entity benefiting in any way from human trafficking, including clients, vendors and business partners. The Athens Ethical Principles are an initiative of the "End Human Trafficking Now!" (EHTN!) campaign, built on a partnership of corporations, organizations and committed individuals, and is championed by the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement. The campaign is endorsed by a host of global organizations including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Labor Organization.
"Trafficking human beings is now the third-largest illegal industry on the planet, following only arms and drug smuggling," said David Arkless, Manpower senior vice president of corporate affairs and special envoy for the EHTN! campaign. "It is a modern form of slavery and no matter where companies are operating, their supply chains could be benefiting from trafficking. We cannot ignore this exploitation and we encourage other companies to join us in standing against this industry."
An estimated 12.3 million people are forced into labor or sexual servitude every year worldwide. The International Labor Organization estimates that $32 billion is earned annually from forced labor, while sexual exploitation of women and children brings in $28 billion.
Companies can sign up for the Athens Ethical Principles and learn more about the campaign by going to Manpower's Web site at www.manpower.com/mpcom/content.jsp?articleid=449 or the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement at www.endhumantraffickingnow.com.
