Four Girls Rescued from One of the Most Dangerous Occupations in the World
Hello October 3rd, 2023
Share This Story
Meatpacking is known to be one of the world's most dangerous occupations. It requires workers to operate inside a factory full of lethal materials.
14-year-old Lexi* had been taken to one of these factories known for labor trafficking in India, where she endured working 18 hours a day, receiving meager pay, and often going the entire day without food.
Lexi was born into a family that struggled inside a village subjected to the Hindu caste system. Treated as barely human, those in her village had limited opportunities and had often encountered generational debt bondage and forced labor.
In October 2020, two female traffickers arrived in Lexi's village in search of families who were financially devastated by these circumstances. Discovering that Lexi's father was disabled, the woman convinced her family that sending her to a "good paying" job in a neighboring country was the only way to take care of her. With an initial payment of 5,000 Indian Rupees (approximately 60 U.S. dollars), Lexi's family reluctantly allowed her to go with the women, hoping that she would be able to earn enough to support their family.
After two years in the factory, our counter-human trafficking team received a tip that enabled them to locate her and mobilize a rescue operation. Upon arrival, the team found Lexi and three other girls from her village living in conditions unfit for any human being, let alone four young girls. Once safe, the team ensured that each girl received medical exams and support before returning home.
One team member shares, "It is very difficult in this area to convince people from the villages that they need support because of the lack of awareness." To address this challenge, the team is striving to create income-generating opportunities. By supporting the four survivors of this case, they hope to address poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic opportunities through vocational training and education. The team's goal is to provide assistance based on the needs and desires of the survivors in this community.
With forced and child labor prevalent in this society, we are constantly working to combat situations just like these. Lexi’s story reflects the overwhelming prevalence of labor trafficking in marginalized communities. These communities need our prayers and support as they are susceptible to being exploited to produce materials exported across the world.
*Pseudonym used to protect identity
