When the media talks about human trafficking, the first thing that comes to mind is the kidnapping and sale of women and children — of girls lured from their homes. But human trafficking is more than just sex trafficking. Many victims of trafficking are conscripted into modern-day slavery through force, fraud or coercion. This takes the form of debt bondage, forced labor and involuntary child labor. Human trafficking is also a supply chain issue, and the companies involved may not even be aware of the violations.

Human trafficking in the supply chain may take many forms. For example, a consumer might stay at a hotel where the sheets were made from cotton harvested by migrant farmers who work with no water and no rest. They may consume a chocolate they found on their pillow, made from cocoa beans picked using child labor. They could order shrimp for dinner which was fished using forced labor, and served in a restaurant where the dishwashers and waiters have had their passports confiscated. During dinner, they might take a call on a cellphone built with materials that were mined by children and assembled by bonded labor.

This is more than an ethical issue; it is a business issue. President Obama noted that human trafficking slavery "ought to concern every business because it distorts markets." Consumers and investors have an increased awareness of supply chain risk, and an increased aversion to companies perceived as exploiting slave labor. To address these moral and economic issues, the United States and other governments are actively passing legislation addressing labor trafficking and child labor practices, much as they had with conflict minerals a couple of years ago. This legislation includes various state, federal and international laws.