In Photos: The Secret World Of Modern Slavery

Mario, 26, kept in conditions of forced labour in a gold mine in Peru

A school friend said I could make good money fast in the gold mines, and introduced me to Señor Carlos. I was new to the job and didn’t know how to keep my money safe, so Señor Carlos offered to keep it for me. One day, a nice guy from the mine left with Señor Carlos. The next day, the guy was dead. I was terrified. I asked Señor Carlos for all my cash, but he refused. Then he beat me up, threatened to kill me, and dumped me in the jungle. Even now, all these years later, I’m terrified he’ll find me.

Photo: Marco Garro for the Guardian