Gossip
…MODERNIZED SLAVE MARKET : MAIDS FOR SALE…
In the Gulf, women (domestic workers) are allegedly sold through an app (4 SALE) that is supposedly approved and provided by Google and Apple.
A BBC documentary has unveiled this modern day slavery. Two undercover journalists posed as a couple who wanted to purchase a domestic worker in Kuwait. They then signed for an account on the ‘4 Sale’ app and got hooked to over 57 users who were willing to sell slaves, cars, TVs and other things !
Most women who had their details on this absurd app had no idea that they were being sold on the app for over 1000 pounds.
The undercover team contacted a dealer who was willing to sell a slave. The team asked whether the woman in question was aware of this deal and the dealer responded in the negative.
In fact, the dealers sounded confident as criminals who had powerful backings. They made it clear to the supposed couple that the domestic workers do not take holidays (they work 24/7 for a year), not allowed to use phones among others.
In the course of the interview within the documentary under review, Urmila Bhoola, UN Special Rapporteur – Contemporary Forms of Slavery had this to say;
“Why should a 16 year old black girl for instance be readily offered for sale like a piece of property on various secretive social media platforms ? It is a violation of International Human Right Laws and Labour Standards. So Google, Apple, Facebook or any other companies who are hosting apps like these should be held highly accountable. They’re all promoting online slave markets”.
Why promote modern day slavery ?
The undercover journalists questioned why these giant apps are either knowingly or unknowingly supporting this modern day slavery since their terms and conditions are directly against discrimination and other illegalities.
From the foregoing, I have these questions for all human beings:
1. What wrong has humanity done to deserve this recurring slavery?
2. Didn’t the Transatlantic slave trade cause enough havoc?
3. What do we gain from making others feel inferior to us?
4. When will we all see ourselves as equals?
5. Will these inhumane practices ever stop?
CREDITS:
A. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – Modern Slaves Documentary
B. www.gettyimages.com
BY: C. A. Asante
Freelance Writer
Ghana – W/A.
