Exploitation in Migration: Unacceptable but Inevitable

Full title in original language:

Education level:

University

University (18+ years)

Topic / subtopic:

Trafficking in persons / smuggling of migrants

Human-rights based approach to trafficking in persons

Human rights and civic education

Human rights

Target audience:

Teachers / Lecturers, Students, Professors

Type of resource:

Publication / Article

Languages:

English

Region of relevance:

Global

Access:

restricted access: requiring payment

Individual authors:

Anne T. Gallagher

Publication year:

2015

Published by:

Journal of International Affairs

Copyright holder:

Contact name and address:

Journal of International Affairs

Contact email:

pubsvc.tsp@sheridan.com

Key themes:

Links:

Publication

Short description:

For the millions of people who want or need to move, migration has become progressively more expensive and perilous. Legal access to preferred destinations is now an option only for the privileged few. The rest are forced into the arms of those able to help them circum- vent ever-increasing controls and deterrents. Migrant smuggling, the business of moving people across borders for profit, is a sordid and dangerous enterprise, often placing lives and well-being at serious risk. And the dangers do not end there. Many of the world’s migrants find themselves deeply in debt to recruitment agencies, brokers, and sometimes their own employers before they even start work. In too many cases, these asymmetrical arrangements reach the level of human trafficking: Victims are tricked or coerced into situations of exploitation from which they cannot escape. This article argues that such practices, while unacceptable, are also inevitable. Without profound reforms to global migration regimes—and indeed to the organization of the global economy—there is likely no effective solution to migration-related exploitation. But important steps can be taken, even within the limits of current political constraints, to minimize vulnerability and harm. These include promoting political and legal acceptance of basic rights for all migrants, developing quality control systems for international labor recruitment, eliminating recruit- ment fees and sponsorship schemes, and co-opting civil society in an effort to increase transparency and accountability of governments and business activities.

Doha Declaration

Education for Justice

Supported by the State of Qatar

60 years Crime Congress