Modern Slavery in International Business as a Human Rights Violation: An Overview and Strategies to Combat

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 26, 362 - 379, 28.02.2025

Münire Tuğba Erdem Aladağ

https://doi.org/10.25204/iktisad.1492068

Abstract

This article explores modern slavery in international business and examines the positive role that corporations can play in addressing this global problem. Modern slavery is a human rights crisis that encompasses forms of exploitation, particularly forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking. The International Labor Organization (ILO) and other global organizations provide data on the prevalence of modern slavery, showing that millions of people around the world are affected. Case study analysis was adopted as the research methodology, focusing on successful practices in combating modern slavery. In this context, how various international organizations and large corporations combat modern slavery was examined. It was observed that companies have taken steps to develop effective strategies against modern slavery, such as transparent supply chain management, ethical recruitment processes and practices that protect labour rights. For example, some companies have reduced labour exploitation by developing fair trade-certified products, while others have collaborated with civil society organizations to engage in initiatives to prevent forced labour. The paper finds that modern slavery persists in global supply chains due to complexity, legal gaps and economic pressures. However, it emphasizes that companies can actively contribute to solving this problem through transparency, strengthening labour rights and responsible business practices.

Keywords

Modern Slavery, International Business, International Trade

Bir İnsan Hakları İhlali Olarak Uluslararası İşletmelerde Modern Kölelik: Genel Bir Bakış ve Mücadele Stratejileri

Abstract

Bu makale, uluslararası iş dünyasında modern köleliği ele alırken şirketlerin bu küresel sorunun çözümünde oynayabileceği olumlu rolleri incelemektedir. Modern kölelik, özellikle zorla çalıştırma, çocuk işçiliği ve insan kaçakçılığı gibi sömürü biçimlerini kapsayan bir insan hakları krizidir. Uluslararası Çalışma Örgütü (ILO) ve diğer küresel kuruluşlar, modern köleliğin yaygınlığını ortaya koyan veriler sunmakta ve dünya genelinde milyonlarca insanın bu durumdan etkilendiğini göstermektedir. Araştırma yöntemi olarak vaka analizi benimsenmiş ve modern kölelikle mücadelede başarılı uygulamalara odaklanılmıştır. Bu bağlamda, çeşitli uluslararası organizasyonların ve büyük şirketlerin modern kölelikle nasıl mücadele ettikleri incelenmiştir. Şirketlerin modern köleliğe karşı etkin stratejiler geliştirmek için şeffaf tedarik zinciri yönetimi, etik işe alım süreçleri ve işçi haklarını koruyan uygulamalar gibi adımlar attığı görülmüştür. Örneğin bazı firmalar adil ticaret sertifikalı ürünler geliştirerek işgücü sömürüsünü azaltmış, diğerleri ise sivil toplum kuruluşlarıyla iş birliği yaparak zorla çalıştırmayı önleme girişimlerine katılmıştır. Makalenin bulgularına göre modern kölelik küresel tedarik zincirlerinde karmaşıklık, yasal boşluklar ve ekonomik baskılar nedeniyle devam etmektedir. Ancak şirketlerin şeffaflık, işçi haklarını güçlendirme ve sorumlu iş uygulamaları aracılığıyla bu sorunun çözümüne aktif katkı sağlayabileceği vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

Modern kölelik, Uluslararası ticaret, uluslararası işletmecilik

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