Labour Trafficking of Immigrants

Labour trafficking consists of the use of fraud, coercion, or force in order to obtain one's labour. Labour Trafficking falls under the larger umbrella term of human trafficking, and is a form of modern day slavery.^[1] Over 21 million people are currently enslaved in trafficking today ^[2], and is a crime involving the exploitation of victims^[3]. Labour trafficking is distinguished from other forms of human trafficking through a model called "Action+Means+Purpose"^[4]. The trafficker commits the acts of inducing, recruiting, harbouring, transporting and/or obtaining, then has the means to use fraud, coercion and/or force against victims for the purpose of labour trafficking.^[5] Trafficking victims help produce a large majority of consumer goods that are distributed all over the world.^[6] Many products that are used everyday, such as cellphones and clothing, are tainted by human trafficking. Without often realizing, consumers drive the demand and profit incentive for products produced and/or made by victims of human trafficking. ^[7]

Victims of labour trafficking are paid little or no money

Overview

Definition

Labour trafficking is the use of fraud, coercion, or force to compel victims to work for little or no pay.^[8] Victims of labour trafficking help manufacture, grow, or catch the products or components of products, that we use in our everyday lives.^[9]

Prevalence

Over 21 million people are currently victim to a form of human trafficking.^[10]. It exists globally, and no country is immune from traffickers, victims, or those who purchase the goods and services trafficking victims provide.

Indicators

Labour trafficking is often "hidden in plain sight." Victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.^[11]. No single indicator is proof that a person is victim to labour trafficking, but these might be some indicators:

Behavior or Physical State^[12]

Does the victim act fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid?
Does the victim defer to another person to speak for him or her?
Does the victim show signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture?
Has the victim been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other life necessities?
Does the victim have few or no personal possessions?

Social Behavior^[13]

Can the victim freely contact friends or family?
Is the victim allowed to socialize or attend religious services?
Does the victim have freedom of movement?
Has the victim or family been threatened with harm if the victim attempts to escape?

Indicator Graphic of Labour Trafficking

Work Conditions and Immigration Status^[14]

Does the victim work excessively long and/or unusual hours?
Was the victim recruited for one purpose and forced to engage in some other job?
Is the victim's salary being garnished to pay off a smuggling fee?
Has the victim been threatened with deportation or law enforcement action?
Is the victim in possession of identification and travel documents; if not, who has control of the documents?

Canada

History

Agriculture Industry

Workers are regularly exploited in the agriculture industry by traffickers. However, not all agricultural workers are victims of labour trafficking. Labour trafficking in the agricultural industry occurs when the employer uses fraud, coercion, or force to exert power of the worker(s) until the worker believes that they have no option of leaving.^[15] Foreign nationals are overwhelmingly recruited to work overseas, with the promise of decent wage and living conditions. However, upon arrival in the destination country, traffickers exploit the victims and may take control over all travel documents, leaving the victim to believe they cannot escape.^[16] Additionally, traffickers can use threats of deportation and arrest by local authorities in order to maintain power and control over their victims.^[17]

The agriculture industry largely exists in rural communities, with limited access to resources and information. Due to this geographic isolation, workers are unable to socialize or be recognized as a victim of trafficking by a bystander.^[18] Additionally, workers may be barricaded and confined to the property they are working on, completely restricting their ability to seek help and support. ^[19]

Textile Industry

Victims of labour trafficking in the textile industry contribute greatly to the clothing that is bought and sold all over the world by large, well-known companies.^[20] The price of clothing has continued to deflate in comparison to rising inflation rates, due the lack of compensation for work that labour trafficking victims do.^[21]

Domestic Servitude

Domestic workers include nannies, housekeepers, cleaners, and caregivers who usually reside in the residence of their trafficker, completing daily tasks of cleaning, cooking, caring for children, the elderly, or the sick.^[22] Domestic servitude also includes intimate partner violence or forced marriage in order to exert force and coercion.^[23] Women account for 80% of domestic servitude victims, while men account for 12% and children 8%.^[24] Victims are commonly middle-aged, and come from typically warm, less economically developed countries.^[25]

DHS Graphic- What Does Domestic Servitude Look Like?

Anti-Trafficking Initiatives

J/TIP

On June 27, 2017, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons released its annual report on human trafficking worldwide. The report places countries in on of three tiers, in order to rank their efforts in policy, enforcement, judicial, and survivor support in regards to human trafficking.^[26] The J/TIP report is used as a comprehensive source to expose and shame foreign governments, in the effort to encourage them to change their practices.

United Nations

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed July 30th to annually be World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in resolution A/RES/68/192.^[27]

The Blue Campaign

The Blue Campaign is an initiative created by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The campaign works in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, government, and non-governmental organizations such as non-profits and private organizations.^[28]

References

[1] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

[2] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

[3] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/type-trafficking/human-trafficking

[4] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/resources/actions-means-purpose-amp-model

[5] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/sites/default/files/AMP%20Model.pdf

[6] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/type-trafficking/labor-trafficking

[7] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/type-trafficking/labor-trafficking

[8] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/infographic

[9] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/myths-and-misconceptions

[10] ttps://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html

[11] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking

[12] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking

[13] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking

[14] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking

[15] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/labor-trafficking-venuesindustries/agriculture

[16] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/labor-trafficking-venuesindustries/agriculture

[17] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/labor-trafficking-venuesindustries/agriculture

[18] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/labor-trafficking-venuesindustries/agriculture

[19] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/labor-trafficking-venuesindustries/agriculture

[20] ttps://humantraffickinghotline.org/type-trafficking/labor-trafficking

[21] ttps://truecostmovie.com/learn-more/buying-better/

[22] ttps://polarisproject.org/typology

[23] ttps://polarisproject.org/typology

[24] ttps://polarisproject.org/typology

[25] ttps://polarisproject.org/typology

[26] ttps://www.state.gov/j/tip/

[27] ttp://www.un.org/en/events/humantrafficking/background.shtml

[28] ttps://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/about-blue-campaign

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