Trapped

Globally, the illegal trade in humans is surpassed only by that in drugs and arms. This work explores some of the life stories behind this scandal and tragedy by looking at one of the regions where debt bondage is still common - the Brazilian Amazon. The author, a British journalist turned farmer in Brazil set off by motorcycle and bus to penetrate the culture of secrecy, sha,me and threat which surrounds debt bondage. She found huge ranches deep in the Amazon where migrant workers are enmeshed in a web of debt, deceit and cruelty. Le Breton explors the lives of these workers and lets them tell their stories in their own words. Many have lost all contact with their families and home towns; some have even forgotten their names. Le Breton also talks with those who benefit from this injustice as well as those fighting against it, and offers suggestions on how it can be consigned to history.