THE Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Labour are handling cases involving allegations that some people smuggle Indians from India and Pakistan into the country.

They confiscate their passports and give them jobs where a big percentage of their wages is taken to recover the costs of bringing them here.

After working for some time and accumulating salary arrears, when they start demanding their wages, the employers get them deported for illegal immigration. This is a modern version of slave trade, which has been reported in many countries.

According to the UN Chronicles on Modern Slavery, it extends from cheap labour to sex workers. The UN estimates that there are over 27 million enslaved persons worldwide, more than double the number of those who were deported in the 400-year history of the trans-atlantic slave trade to the Americas. What is remarkable is that this unprecedented trafficking largely goes unnoticed.

This worst conceivable violation of human rights and personal liberty is taking place at a time when humankind has never been more conscious of human rights. Yet there is no official authority to protect them.

The ministry of labour and Police should investigate the allegations thoroughly and recommend deterrent legal measures to contain it. The culprit should be exposed and the victims protected from legal reprisals that threaten them from coming out to seek help.