By Emily You - New Zealand and China
Introduction
Currently, at least 89.3 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced, with 27.1 million of them being refugees and 41% of these refugees being children under the age of 18 ( “ UNHCR Global Trends 2023” ). These figures persist due to ongoing conflicts, persecution, and human rights violations worldwide. While nations fortify their immigration policies and the number of borders rises, refugees and asylum seekers find themselves susceptible to exploitation. This includes forced labour, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery. In fact, it has been reported that migrant workers are three times more likely to end up in forced labour than local workers. Additionally, they are also vulnerable to exploitation whilst travelling from their origin to a destination country ( “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery” ).
In this article, I will delve into the factors propelling refugees toward dangerous and illegal avenues of escape. I will explain the distressing reality wherein refugees, especially women and children, become victims of trafficking. Moreover, I will examine the exacerbating impact of Western nations' reluctance to provide legal asylum, leading refugees to become more susceptible to such perilous methods, consequently fueling the problem of modern-day slavery. Lastly, I will comment on the treatment of migrants who have sought refuge in the UK and the law's inability to protect them as they grapple with exploitation fueled by language barriers, among other challenges.
The conditions of refugee camps
Refugees already endure profound challenges, including discrimination, cultural isolation, and frequent denial of legal protection in their countries of refuge. Yet, the lack of aid or sponsorship means that conditions within refugee camps often reach crisis levels, characterised by extreme overcrowding, inadequate food and water, and poor infrastructure. Their environment also poses significant dangers, particularly for women and children who are disproportionately affected by sexual and domestic violence. Moreover, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the dire situation, with refugees in camps facing a higher risk of starvation. This is because many are unable to work or provide for their families, resulting in scarce access to essential resources like food and water.
This crisis is also exacerbated by the fact that the pandemic has led to less overall aid and support from foreign government organisations, making it even more challenging to obtain the necessary living essentials and medical care for shrivels. Additionally, these camps typically consist of tents situated in desolate landscapes of extreme temperatures, which foster hopelessness. In fact, some camps, like the Cooper's Camp in West India, have existed since 1947, continuing to house over 7000 victims without a clear resolution in sight (Finch, 2015).
Factors that lead to this exploitation
Refugees often find themselves at a crossroads — being left with little funds and no choice but to seek alternative paths for safety. This renders them highly susceptible to human trafficking, potentially ensnaring them in situations akin to modern-day slavery. A tragic illustration of this reality emerged in Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in April 2015, which claimed nearly 9000 lives. In seeking sanctuary, safety, and shelter, refugees were instead trapped by a human trafficking scheme where many children — predominantly girls — fell victim to sexual exploitation (“Nepal earthquakes leave bitter legacy”). The impact of such trafficking is profound; according to recovery statistics, only 1 to 2% of child trafficking victims are rescued. Currently, 49.6 million people are being trafficked, 12% of whom are children (“Definition and Scale”). People in other parts of the world need to acknowledge the abhorrent truth and help prevent such continuous terror for these victims.
Moreover, refugees are often trapped in a multitude of predicaments, including forced marriages and labour exploitation. Consider the case of Fatima, a Syrian refugee who was promised safe passage to Europe in 2019 but instead found herself coerced into a forced marriage upon arrival in Turkey ( “From Child to Bride”). These tragedies are compounded by the absence of safe transportation options within the migration process. Rather than reaching their intended destinations, refugees may unwittingly fall victim to unscrupulous traffickers, compelling them to toil without remuneration under the guise of "repaying a debt." This exploitative practice, exemplified by instances like those faced by Fatima, reinforces the fact that human trafficking is a symptom of the refugee crisis (McGeough, 2022).
Given that trafficking is closely linked to the lack of sufficient aid or assistance for refugees, the most crucial action is providing refugees with adequate legal support and assistance, enabling safe migration without the risk of exploitation or entrapment. Furthermore, even if these refugees arrive safely in a new location, they are still vulnerable to exploitation because of the small amount of time to adjust to linguistic and cultural changes. This disadvantage can lead to a sense of social isolation as well as exploitation. Refugees often face the adversity of the latter due to their vulnerable position in which they severely lack knowledge regarding the system of Western countries- ‘civil rights, healthcare, political participation’ (Boutmira, 2017). Furthermore, they are verbally unable to ask for help because 24% of Syrian refugees in Canada speak no English at all, and up to 50% do not pass level 2 (Boutmira, 2017), which is assessed via verbal testing sampled from the overall refugee population in the area. These communication challenges lead to xenophobia from local populations, as well as potential exploitation. Unable to defend their rights, refugees can be taken advantage of for their labour; working overtime for under minimum wage and without a choice but to accept these injustices.
Exploitation of migrants within the UK
Now, I will focus on the problems faced by migrants within the UK due to the UK government's recent implementation of the Points-Based Immigration System in 2021. This system has raised the standard for migrants seeking entry into the country, making it increasingly difficult to obtain a visa. The recent Brexit decisions have also contributed to this difficulty, as they have led to the end of freedom of movement for EU citizens, leading to increased visa requirements and restrictions for EU nationals wishing to live and work in the UK. This shift has created additional layers of complexity and uncertainty for migrants within the UK, particularly those previously able to move freely under EU regulations. Moreover, heightened public concerns about immigration, coupled with political rhetoric emphasising the need for tighter border controls, have contributed to a xenophobic climate, making it increasingly difficult for migrants to integrate into UK society.
Additionally, migrant workers face a heightened risk of exploitation in the workplace in the UK, particularly when they have insecure immigration status: when someone faces the risk of deportation back to their home country. The precarious nature of their legal standing makes it more challenging to report instances of exploitation and seek protection. One contributing factor to this vulnerability is the UK's sponsorship-based immigration system, which necessitates finding an employer willing to sponsor a work visa. This process can be prohibitively expensive, leading some individuals to accrue debt to obtain entry into the UK. The exploitation of migrants manifests in various forms, including the withholding of wages, insecure employment conditions such as irregular hours and low pay, and substandard living conditions marked by poor quality, unsafe, or overcrowded accommodation. The issue has gained heightened relevance in the aftermath of Brexit, as many migrants have lost their sponsorship and legal residency, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation as they seek alternative means of employment (Taylor, 2023). It is incumbent upon the UK government to ensure equitable treatment and protection for all individuals within its borders in accordance with the European Human Rights Conventions ratified by the UK in 1951. However, fear of retaliation from traffickers and potential criminalisation by the UK authorities deter many victims from seeking assistance.
Undocumentation or illegal methods of entry leading to cases of modern day slavery
At times, migrants constrained by their undocumented status often have no choice but to accept severe working conditions. Frequently, these dire conditions appear better than the alternatives of living in a refugee camp or returning to their homes, which are still plagued by violence and conflict. Unfortunately, employees often take advantage of the workers' vulnerability, not paying them fairly for their economic gain. This example of modern-day slavery leads to these migrant workers living below the poverty line and receiving governmental benefits to alleviate this suffering. Yet, this unacceptable form of injustice is often swept under the rug despite us living alongside such behaviour.
It is clear that human trafficking requires our immediate attention in disrupting the nexus between migration and exploitation to safeguard the millions at risk of falling victim to modern slavery during their journeys.
Bibliography
"UNHCR Global Trends 2023." UNHCR, www.unhcr.org/global-trends.
"Global Estimates of Modern Slavery." Walk Free, www.walkfree.org/reports/global-estimates-of-modern-slavery-2022/.
Finch, Tim. "In Limbo in World’S Oldest Refugee Camps: Where 10 Million People Can Spend Years, or Even Decades." Sage Journals, vol. 44, no. 1, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1177/0306422015569438.
"Nepal Earthquakes Leave Bitter Legacy As Children Become Quarry for Traffickers." The Guardian, 25 Oct. 2015. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/oct/25/nepal-earthquake-six-month-anniversary-children-orphans-people-traffickers
"Definition and Scale." Stop the Traffik, stopthetraffik.org/what-is-human-trafficking/definition-and-scale/.
"From Child to Bride - Fatima's Story." Refugee Today, www.refugee.today/stories/from-child-to-bride-fatimas-story.
McGeough, Sara. "Ukraine Crisis: The Connection Between Human Trafficking and Refugees." The Exodus Road, 9 Mar. 2022. https://theexodusroad.com/human-trafficking-and-refugees/
Taylor, Diane. "Migrant Workers Face Exploitation As Result of Post-Brexit Scheme, Says Report." The Guardian, 14 Nov. 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/14/migrant-workers-face-exploitation-as-result-of-post-brexit-scheme-says-report
Boutmira, Souhail. Older Syrian Refugees’ Experiences of Language Barriers in Postmigration and (Re)Settlement Context in Canada. 2017. Ryerson University
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