Labor Day and Protecting Labor Trafficking Survivors

Human trafficking affects over 25 industries in the United States. Yet, when people talk about exploitation, survivors of labor trafficking are often overlooked. This Labor Day, we highlight survivors of labor trafficking and their stories.

According to a Polaris Study, more than half the victims of labor trafficking that reported to the Trafficking Hotline are immigrants with legal temporary visas, including temporary working visas. When they first come to the country, they believe they have legitimate job offers. Exploiters often target these individuals because of their vulnerability in moving to a new country and not having anyone they know. Victims are often recruited through fraud and forced to work with little to no pay. Traffickers keep them in control through debt and threats such as telling victims that they will be reported to law enforcement or even being physically harmed. Immigrants usually cannot advocate for themselves because they are not fluent in English or do not know their legal rights.  

Labor trafficking can happen anywhere. An example of where it might take place is the hospitality industry. While many people usually think about sex trafficking when it comes to hotels, there is a concerning number of victims who are forced into labor as well. A report from The Exodus Road shows that the hospitality industry is among the top five for labor trafficking. Victims may be forced into housekeeping, food service, or other subcontracts a hotel might have with exploitative vendors. Traffickers may also house victims of forced labor, such as construction crews or traveling sales groups, at hotels while they are being exploited elsewhere in the community. According to a Polaris survey of human trafficking survivors, 20% were housed by their trafficker at a hotel while being exploited. Traffickers often threaten and abuse their victims if they don’t meet their daily quota of profit. Even if profit quotas are met, their earnings can be taken to keep victims in debt. Typically, the most vulnerable groups of people, such as those experiencing poverty, are targeted by exploiters. By making victims dependent on them financially, traffickers increase their ability to control and exploit.

Labor trafficking is just as serious as sex trafficking. It is important for the community to understand how to identify both types of exploitation. Employees of public-facing businesses are essential in helping victims leave their situation. By recognizing why and how traffickers exploit labor, we are a step closer to ending labor trafficking everywhere.