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The Freedom Campaign

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The Freedom Campaign – A future free from slavery

24.9 million people are in forced labour around the world, a form of modern slavery. 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children. Over 16 million people are exploited in private sector work such as construction, bricklaying, agriculture or domestic work. Women and girls are disproportionately affected and at extreme risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

For those living in poverty, a sudden need for funds such as an emergency medical bill or a natural disaster destroying their home, forces them to borrow money they don’t have. They are tricked into working as bricklayers, earning as little as £1 a day.

Most of the money they earn goes to pay off their loan. As their debtor “pays” them very little, it means their debt continues to trap their family for generations. They see no future, no opportunities and no freedom. But it doesn’t need to be this way. We can help pay off their debts and give them a future free from slavery.

The Prophet said, "Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah will save all the parts of his body from the (Hell) Fire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave." Said bin Marjana 

They are entitled to our Zakat, and our donations can truly save entire generations.

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Help provide people with support they need

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What is Bonded Labour?

Bonded labour, also known as debt bondage and peonage

happens when people give themselves into slavery as security against a loan or when they inherit a debt from a relative. Then, while the worker labours to repay the debt, the employer continues to add on additional expenses.

They are heavily exploited, often doing life-threatening work such as operating kilns, lifting heavy bricks and working in unhealthy conditions. Entire families get trapped in this form of bonded labour, working endlessly for their freedom.

If the person who borrowed the money passes away, the debt is transferred to their children, causing an endless, vicious cycle. Children are also trapped, with 80% of them never going to school.

Your donations can help take a family out of modern-day slavery & help generations to flourish.

Help those trapped in modern day slavery

Success Story

Saif Ullah’s

I have been working at a kiln for the last 17 years. My grandfather and father also used to work here. When I got married, my father needed money for the wedding. He borrowed money from the kiln owner and was working to pay off the loan.

View all stories

Forced Labour Facts

24.9M

people are in forced labour around the world.

£1

is the average daily wage in the brickyards.

1 in 4

victims of modern slavery are children

16M

people are exploited in private sector

Freedom Campaign FAQs

What additional expenses the employer add on?

As these workers usually don’t have their own accommodation so they use the accommodation kiln over provide. The kiln owner charges the rent and electricity bills. Therefore, get these bills added to their original loan on monthly basis.

Why do they not take a loan from a bank instead?

These poor labourers are already living in poverty. A sudden need for funds such as an emergency medical bill or a natural disaster destroying their home, forces them to borrow money from the kiln owner. In developing countries bank usually required property as a guarantee which they don’t have.

Why does their debt keep on increasing?

Their wages are often very low where they barely fulfil their daily need without repaying the original debt. Also, they need to make 1000 bricks a day if they cant reach the target, the kiln owners are used not to pay the whole day of the labour or they pay half. As they were hardly fulfilling their daily need if another tragedy happens, like arranging a marriage, for the medical treatment of any in the family or if there is a death in the family, they need to borrow money from the kiln owner again and this cycle continue for ever.

Where is bonded labour still happening today?

In Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and mostly African countries the bonded labour still flourishes in agriculture, brick kilns, mills, mines and factories. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are forced to work as bonded labourers in brick kilns and agriculture, often suffering extreme exploitation and abuse.

Why is the bonded labour flourishing?

Bonded labour flourishes because of poverty and widespread caste-based discrimination. Limited access to justice, education and jobs for discriminated groups makes it difficult to get out of poverty. The need for cash for daily survival forces people to sell their labour in exchange for a loan.

Why don’t they seek help from the Government?

Despite the fact that bonded labour is illegal the laws are rarely enforced, particularly where the people who exploit those from more vulnerable groups belong to the ruling classes.

Are these people are eligible for Zakat?

Islamically they are Zakat eligible as described in the holy Quran as follows, "The alms are meant only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free those in bondage, and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the Way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran 9:60)

Why is the debt amount fixed to £2000 for all families?

The debt amount is vary from families to families, some families have debts even more than £2000 and some less than that. Its hard to manage the donation for each family so we have the average donation amount to free a family from the crippling debt.

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