Human Trafficking and Forced Labour. What Perspectives to Challenge Exploitation?
- Document number
- 1279
- Date
- 2007
- Title
- Human Trafficking and Forced Labour. What Perspectives to Challenge Exploitation?
- Author/publisher
- Don Flynn, Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)
- Availability
- View/save PDF version of this document
- Document type(s)
- Research/Study/Analysis,
- Keywords
- Root causes, Asylum, Residence permit, Regularisation, Migrant rights; Migration management; Comprehensive approach to migration; Migration policy; Irregular Migration, Feminization of migration, Economic migration, Labour migration, Free movement, Undocumented migrants; Undocumented labour;
- Summary
- A PICUM Policy Brief: This briefing paper draws attention to positions being developed by politicians and policy makers across Europe for whom trafficking in human beings (THB) is regarded as more-or-less synonymous with irregular migration and the position of undocumented migrants. In a recent statement the UK Home Secretary, John Reid, argues that “people traffickers, [...] are behind three-quarters of illegal migration to this country, [leaving] vulnerable and often desperate people at the mercy of organised criminals.” (Home Office 2007, p.2). PICUM’s view is that, on the contrary, it cannot be claimed that the activities of people traffickers account for a large portion of irregular entry or residence in European countries, or even a significant part of it. Whilst some undocumented migrants will have gained entry with the assistance provided by people smugglers (a different activity from people trafficking, the difference being discussed in more detail below) the largest part of irregular residence arises from people admitted through the normal channels of migration control, but who have subsequently fallen in breach of immigration regulations. Because of this there is no necessary connection between the presence of undocumented migrants and the activities of people traffickers in the ways which are often claimed.
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