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# Confronting the root causes of forced labour: the meaning of freedom
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/confronting-root-caus-0/
- Published: 2019-03-19T16:09:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-21T16:56:39.000Z
- Description: Where does the force in 'forced labour' come from? Those who believe that poverty and globalisation are the root causes of forced labour need a broader understanding of freedom and coercion.
- Author: Genevieve LeBaron
- Tags: Home, #Migrated, Confronting Root Causes Report, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 11:26, #ImagesUploaded, #appended-excerpt

> When we say that poverty is a root cause of forced labour, we are really saying that we understand the poor to be pushed into situations of exploitative or forced work by the fact that they lack viable alternatives.

Where does the force in 'forced labour' come from? Those who believe that poverty and globalisation are the root causes of forced labour need a broader understanding of freedom and coercion.