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Peter Bengtsen

Peter Bengtsen is an investigative reporter and historian of ideas.

Bengtsen leads on-the-ground investigations into global supply chains and has featured in The Guardian, The Observer, The Diplomat, Der Spiegel, Le Monde diplomatique and many European consumer magazines. His reflective/perspectival pieces appear in OpenDemocracy, Global Policy Journal, blogs for Le Monde diplomatique and book contributions.

Next to this, he is affiliated with the Centre for studies of Cultures and Literatures of Slavery at Aarhus University and the Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas at Aarhus University in Denmark. He holds a master degree in the history of ideas and political theory.

Besides looking into global supply chains, Peter pursues his decade-long dedication to corporate ethics and accountability, human rights and labor issues.

You can get in touch with Peter via his website: peterbengtsen.com

Posts by Peter Bengtsen

July 02, 2024

Migrant Workers Pay Sky-high Fees to Expand Taiwan’s Biggest Airport

By Peter Bengtsen

Vietnamese and Thai construction workers risk debt bondage at state-owned international airport.

October 31, 2023

Debt Bondage in Space, and Taiwan

By Peter Bengtsen

Sky-high recruitment fees and debts for migrant workers lurk behind the Taiwanese firms supplying multinational satellite, electronic, and car companies.

August 22, 2023

Debt Bondage Payouts Mark Progress But Fail to Make Migrant Workers Whole in Taiwan

By Peter Bengtsen

Suppliers of General Motors, Opel, Continental, Bosch, Hella, Magna, and Walmart have repaid over $2.5 million to employees, but still fall short of full reimbursements.

June 13, 2022

The Vietnamese Debt Bondage Gamble

By Peter Bengtsen

Workers pay the equivalent of three to four years wages at home in Vietnam to get access to jobs abroad at suppliers of major international brands.

April 04, 2022

After Pressure, Growing Transparency in Malaysia’s Glove Industry

By Peter Bengtsen

From rock bottom four years ago, much of Malaysia’s glove industry has embarked on efforts to achieve greater transparency and better conditions.

September 14, 2021

Debt Bondage Payouts Flow to Workers in Malaysia’s Glove Industry

By Peter Bengtsen

Has an American import ban and the repayment of over $100 million to migrant workers by glove makers reduced forced labor risks?

November 22, 2019

Clean Gloves, Dirty Practices: Debt Bondage in Malaysia’s Rubber Glove Industry

By Peter Bengtsen and Peter Bengtsen

Migrant workers in Malaysia risk forced labor making gloves for American healthcare giants.

September 13, 2019

India’s Miners of Glittery Mica Deadlocked in Debt Traps

By Peter Bengtsen and Peter Bengtsen

After years of increasing attention to child labor, debt traps and risks of bondage are under-reported but widespread.

March 21, 2018

China’s Forced Labor Problem

By Peter Bengtsen and Peter Bengtsen

Forced labor in China receives remarkably little attention despite decades as the world’s factory floor.