Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-01-12 10:45

International

By Javed Anees - District Hospital, Tirur, CC0

COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to international scientists. They cite the example of a New York Times investigation that revealed an explosive increase in PPE manufacturers in China, many of which exploit Uighur forced labour. They say approximately 25 million people worldwide are currently trapped in forced labour, and discuss how the high demand for PPE during the pandemic could help draw attention to society’s deep-seated reliance on hidden slavery.

Media release

From: American College of Physicians

High demand for PPE during pandemic reveals society’s dependence on forced labor

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, leaders in health care must also reflect upon how increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) have most likely exacerbated the prevalence of forced labor in global PPE supply chains. Authors from the Cleveland Clinic, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, SOAS University of London, and the University of Gothenburg discuss how the high demand for PPE during the pandemic can help draw attention to society’s deep-seated reliance on forced labor.

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Research American College of Physicians, Web page

Journal/
conference: Annals of Internal Medicine

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Cleveland Clinic, USA

Funder: No information provided.

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