The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is celebrated every year on December 2.  This day marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).

• The Day is observed to raise awareness about suppression of modern forms of slavery such as human trafficking, child labor, forced labour and sexual exploitation in order to eradicate slavery today.
• In addition to the traditional forms of forced labour such as bonded labor and debt bondage, different forms of forced labor have emerged today. For example, migrant workers are trafficked from rural areas to urban areas for economic exploitation. This includes mostly the construction industry, the food and clothing industry, domestic work, agriculture and forced prostitution.