Europe
Labor trafficking is an issue that transcends borders and abounds throughout Europe in particular. With many countries in close proximity to each other, the fluidity of the labor trafficking industry is only increasing. The rise of labor trafficking in Europe has always been present, however recently there has been an extreme lack of policy and convictions. Fear across the continent is growing, as many people are treading lightly when entering the workforce.
Sexual exploitation is a predominant form of trafficking across Europe, in nations such as Britain, Belgium, Portugal, and more. Other industries that are dominated by labor trafficking in Europe include agriculture, construction, domestic work, and child labor, all of which are highly lucrative and tactfully organized acts of crime. Although these acts are abundant throughout Europe, they are often not thoroughly addressed with legislative policy. Labor exploitation also dominates the labor trafficking industry, and men are the predominant victims. However when one person gets involved in labor trafficking, the perpetrator has an outlet to other victims. Thus it becomes much easier for families or relatives to become strung into the same painful paradox of labor trafficking.
Women most often fall victim to trafficking rather than men. The European Union recently created the Directive 2011/26/EU, which is a basic legislative agenda that addresses the pressing issue of human trafficking. This policy allows victims of human trafficking to seek protection and rights, and it also outlines the prosecution and prevention of trafficking. However, simply because this fundamental policy has been created and instilled in the EU, it doesn’t eliminate labor trafficking. The practice remains in numerous European countries, often remaining hidden behind closed doors.
Working conditions and labor intensive environments create a hostile and unsafe environment for workers. Yet, workers often stay with their employers because they often provide necessities such as food and housing. This paradox makes it hard for the workers to break free, while allowing the employers to maintain their heinous routine.
Organizations such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) help maintain and monitor workers rights, while also aiding victims of labor trafficking. However, the ILO and other NGOs often lack momentum when faced with legislative issues, because they are not allowed to infringe on each nation’s sovereignty.
The major issue with the spread of labor trafficking is the lack of legislation that has been put into action by the appropriate governing bodies. For this reason, there needs to be a unifying legislation that backs other aspects of the labor trafficking industry, including labor inspectors, economic monitorization, and victim identification. There has been consistency in the legislation (or lack thereof) put in place with labor monitorization. Perhaps an increase in awareness, however, could be more powerful than legislation itself.
Sexual exploitation is a predominant form of trafficking across Europe, in nations such as Britain, Belgium, Portugal, and more. Other industries that are dominated by labor trafficking in Europe include agriculture, construction, domestic work, and child labor, all of which are highly lucrative and tactfully organized acts of crime. Although these acts are abundant throughout Europe, they are often not thoroughly addressed with legislative policy. Labor exploitation also dominates the labor trafficking industry, and men are the predominant victims. However when one person gets involved in labor trafficking, the perpetrator has an outlet to other victims. Thus it becomes much easier for families or relatives to become strung into the same painful paradox of labor trafficking.
Women most often fall victim to trafficking rather than men. The European Union recently created the Directive 2011/26/EU, which is a basic legislative agenda that addresses the pressing issue of human trafficking. This policy allows victims of human trafficking to seek protection and rights, and it also outlines the prosecution and prevention of trafficking. However, simply because this fundamental policy has been created and instilled in the EU, it doesn’t eliminate labor trafficking. The practice remains in numerous European countries, often remaining hidden behind closed doors.
Working conditions and labor intensive environments create a hostile and unsafe environment for workers. Yet, workers often stay with their employers because they often provide necessities such as food and housing. This paradox makes it hard for the workers to break free, while allowing the employers to maintain their heinous routine.
Organizations such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) help maintain and monitor workers rights, while also aiding victims of labor trafficking. However, the ILO and other NGOs often lack momentum when faced with legislative issues, because they are not allowed to infringe on each nation’s sovereignty.
The major issue with the spread of labor trafficking is the lack of legislation that has been put into action by the appropriate governing bodies. For this reason, there needs to be a unifying legislation that backs other aspects of the labor trafficking industry, including labor inspectors, economic monitorization, and victim identification. There has been consistency in the legislation (or lack thereof) put in place with labor monitorization. Perhaps an increase in awareness, however, could be more powerful than legislation itself.
