Primarily, “The Embassy of Cambodia”, written by Zadie Smith, deals with lawlessness and exploitation in the context of multiculturalism at the beginning of the 21st century.
The story focuses on the dysfunctionality of multiculturalism and the emergence of parallel societies. In Willesden’s society Fatou is regarded – with the exception of Andrew – as a disenfranchised [dt.: entrechtet] and inferior African. She is exploited and ignored. She sees herself as a victim and does not understand why Africans suffer more than other population groups. This can be seen in her conversation with Andrew when she asks him “Are we born to suffer?”. Over time, Fatou changes her attitude. She becomes more self-assured and gains more self-confidence to be able to make her “own arrangements”.
The hierarchy that Fatou learns about, causes parallel societies to arise in a country. The residential area of the Derawals is characterized by immigration and isolation which can be interpreted by the high walls of the houses of Willesden. Fatou questions the different social positions. She sees the prosperity of the Derawals and realizes that she (unlike the Pakistani Derawals) is much worse off. Fatou is a second class human being, since she is poor and black, as well as an illegal immigrant.
Over time, Fatou has become accustomed to being exploited. She compares herself to a domestic help who is held like a slave and decides that despite the adverse circumstances, she could be worse off. Fatou’s interaction with Andrew helps her to evolve from an unpaid maid to an independent, more self-confident and emancipated woman. The additional theme of “The Embassy of Cambodia” is therefore also the self-assertion and emancipation of a young African woman. With Fatou’s dismissal from the Derawals, the phase of abasement [dt.: Demütigung] and financial exploitation for Fatou ends. However, the end and thus Fatou’s future remains open.
Modern slavery exists worldwide, despite the legal abolition of all forms of slavery in most countries. People in unprotected situations and in extreme need are particularly vulnerable. The main character Fatou in “The Embassy of Cambodia” portrays the plight [dt.: Notlage] of many refugees. Their illegal status is misused by their employers. Various cases of forced labour are reported throughout Europe. For example, in agriculture, forestry, gastronomy, the meat industry, fishing, the textile industry and domestic work.
Twelve-hour shifts, six-day week, for a starvation wage [dt.: Hungerlohn] without an employment contract – desperate refugees accept almost anything in order to survive. Due to rising numbers of refugees, many people in trouble are competing for low-paid jobs, so that wages and conditions fall even further. The average hourly wage for a seasonal worker is 2-3€ and overtime hours are not paid.
Modern slavery in “The Embassy of Cambodia“: Although the Derawal family are immigrants as well, they exploit Fatou, who is an illegal immigrant. The Pakistani family Fatou is working for holds her passport and her salary, which shows Fatou’s inferior position and the family’s power. The author is referring to the power disparities [dt.: Machtgefälle] between the weak and the less weak.