Obama outlines efforts to fight ‘modern slavery’ of trafficking

President Barack Obama spoke out against human trafficking, describing it as ‘modern slavery’, while outlining new measures to tackle the problem.

He called trafficking an ‘outrage’ while delivering a passionate plea to stop it in a speech to an annual global forum organized by ex-President Bill Clinton.

“It is barbaric and it is evil and it has no place in a civilized world,” Obama said.

He added that international efforts were needed to help more than 20 million trafficking victims.

According to the BBC, he said that trafficking endangered public health and fuelled violence and organised crime.

As he spoke, the White House unveiled steps to stop trafficking in government contracting, including overseas.

Victims of human trafficking included abused workers who strive for little pay, boys who are turned into child soldiers and girls sold into the sex trade, the report added.