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Mihai

2013 (Narrative date)

The Global Slavery Index 2018 estimates that on any given day in 2016, an estimated 3.6 million men, women and children were living in modern slavery in Europe and Central Asia. People are subjected to exploitation in forced labour, debt bondage and forced sexual exploitation. Government response in Europe is particularly strong with a number of regional bodies holding them account and monitoring responses, and while countries in Central Asia have taken steps to tack modern slavery, more needs to be done. 

 

Mihai was told he would get a job working construction in Europe, however upon arrival in his new city, he was forced to perform as a mime on the streets.

He did not tell me exactly what work I would be asked to do, somewhere in construction...a few days then passed between the offer and the departure date. I had no idea what was going to happen and never even thought about it. I never thought that someone I know would do this to me. 

 

He showed me how to paint my face in white, to dress up as a mime and to wait for people’s money. 

 

At night, several people from Romania used to sleep in a ‘house held by the network, on mattresses or wherever we could find a place. 

 

 

Narrative B23 provided by National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons