It is estimated that there are 105,000 people living in conditions of modern slavery in Spain (GSI 2018). Spain is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Women from from Easter Europe, particularly Romania, South America and Nigeria are subjected to sex trafficking, while men and women from South and East Asia are subjected to forced labour in the textile, agricultural, construction, industrial and service sectors. Unaccompanied migrant children continue to be trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced begging.
Andrei took up an offer for a job in Spain, however upon arrival he was forced to beg on the streets under constant surveillance and threats.
The day after receiving the begging offer, I left for Spain
I was afraid all the time, at night I could not sleep, my heart was beating really fast, I did not know what to do. I had no money; we were supervised all day long. They were threatening to kill us all the time. They were seven and were supervising us all the time, all the time we were transported in cars and we had no one to talk to … they are extremely dangerous, I was afraid of them and I still am afraid of them because they are pursuing the ones giving statements against them and they are trying to buy silence with money or they are threatening them. I don’t want money but I am afraid to sleep at night, what if they will come for me.
Narrative B22 provided by National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons