In India, some 40 million children, women, and men are trapped in bonded labor, a form of modern-day slavery. Recently, internal migrants from impoverished regions have also become prey to this plight.

When they leave their area in search of better employment opportunities, they are vulnerable to being trafficked, explains Sr. Kochurani Joseph, who works at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s Office for Labor. The office raises awareness of the issue among communities and rescues survivors.

Sr. Joseph participated in the 2-3 December meeting of the ICMC Asia-Oceania working group in Bangkok, Thailand.