Uber drivers being taught how to spot human traffickers and their victims in their cars
The company said it was partnering with US anti-trafficking groups in an effort to fight the crime
Uber is enlisting its drivers across the United States in the fight against modern slavery by giving them tips on how to spot traffickers and their victims when they hail a car, the app-based taxi company said on Monday.
About 40 million people worldwide were living as modern slaves last year – many trapped in forced labour or sexual exploitation – according to the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO) and human rights group Walk Free Foundation.
“Uber connects millions of people daily all around the globe, and drivers are uniquely positioned to help identify and ultimately prevent human-trafficking,” Uber safety spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said in a statement.
The company said it was partnering with US anti-trafficking groups, including ECPAT-USA, Thorn and The McCain Institute, in an effort to fight the crime.
The move comes as Uber tries to reassure regulators that it is changing the way it does business, after a string of controversies damaged its reputation and led to the exit of its co-founder Travis Kalanick last year.
As part of the anti-trafficking initiative messages sent via the app will provide drivers with information on trafficking and how to report their suspicions to police and non-governmental organisations.