Modern Slavery

Breakpoint had an article about a pressing problem in Brazil. I've blogged about human trafficking and slavery before, and plan to continue doing so as I hear of problems that people ought to know about.

According to the story, a lot of workers on Brazil's sugar plantations are modern day slaves.

Anywhere between 25,000 and 200,000 Brazilians are what are known as “debt slaves.” Their employers keep them in perpetual bondage by charging them “exorbitant rates for the food, water, clothes and the tools they work with.” Because their wages are so low, the workers can never pay off the “debt” and, thus, can never leave.

This year is the 200th anniversary of the stop of the Atlantic slave trade by the British Parliment due to the work of William Wilberforce. That was a momentous change in the evil practice of slavery. Oh that in this day we can rise up with the courage and dedication of someone like Wilberforce to stand against the abuse of human life.