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South Asia, April 2026 — In just 10 days last month, 137 children, women, and men were brought to safety from forced labor through six coordinated operations in a South Asian country.
Each operation reflected strong government leadership, working in close partnership with IJM, local partners, and survivor leaders. Together, they moved quickly to identify situations of harm, report to local authorities, and deliver protection.
One IJM staff member shared, “This unified front demonstrates how government ownership combined with civil society engagement can break cycles of exploitation. This ensures that freedom, safety, and dignity reach those who have suffered the most.”
What happened?
3 March: Survivor leaders supported authorities to bring a young couple – including a woman five months pregnant – to safety from forced labor at a goat farm. The family received immediate assistance and returned safely to their hometown.
7 March: 78 people were brought to safety from a brick kiln where they had been forced to work without rest, proper sanitation, medical care, or freedom to leave. Within 24 hours, officials escorted the survivors home.
8 March: A local partner traced an interstate trafficking network that had been exploiting children for labor from vulnerable communities in the region. They activated authorities to free five children – one has already returned to school.
9 March: 24 people, including nine children, were brought to safety from forced labor on a sugarcane farm. Both the trafficker and farm owner have been arrested.
13 March: 27 people, including eight children, were freed after being trapped on a sugarcane farm for over a year. Officials provided warm meals and shelter as they coordinated their return home. Charges have been filed against the suspected perpetrator.
13 March: A 13‑year‑old boy forced to tend goats to repay a family debt was brought safely home by one of IJM’s new local partners after a year of isolation and harsh conditions.
These rapid responses point to growing momentum in the country’s fight against forced labor – and a clear determination by authorities, partners, and survivor leaders to protect people from abuse and exploitation.
Learn more about how IJM, alongside local authorities, is working to help end forced labor.
