Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trafficking in Persons

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting the world under enormous strain, affecting the lives of everyone. The unprecedented measures adopted to flatten the infection curve include enforced quarantine, curfews and lockdowns, travel restrictions, and limitations on economic activities and public life. While at first sight, these enforcement measures and increased police presence at the borders and on the streets seem to dissuade crime, they may also drive it further underground. In trafficking in persons, criminals are adjusting their business models to the ‘new normal’ created by the pandemic, especially through the abuse of modern communications technologies. At the same time, COVID-19 impacts the capacity of state authorities and non-governmental organizations to provide essential services to the victims of this crime. Most importantly, the pandemic has exacerbated and brought to the forefront the systemic and deeply entrenched economic and societal inequalities that are among the root causes of human trafficking

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Addressing the Gender Dimensions of Trafficking in Persons in the Context of Climate Change, Displacement and Disaster Risk Reduction – Report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Siobhán Mullally

Publications

The heightened risks of trafficking in the context of climate change are rooted in existing and persistent inequalities, in poverty, in racism, and in discrimination. These heightened risks and vulnerability to exploitation are not inevitable or fix...Read More

TAGS: Global

G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Declaration

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The G20 ministers committed to taking action to improve occupational safety and health through the country-level and collective measures, taking into account each country’s national context, including by promoting responsible business practices and...Read More

TAGS: Global

Food & Beverage Benchmark Findings Report

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According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 21 million people are victims of forced labor around the world. As defined by the ILO, forced labor refers to “situations in which persons are coerced to work through the use o...Read More

TAGS: Supplier Management Food & Beverage - Processing & Packaging Global

Migrant Workers Policy and Vulnerability to Labour Trafficking in Malaysia: Lessons and Gaps from Existing Literature

Publications

Since 2018, with the first change of the federal government after 60 years of independence, Malaysia has seen notable policy shifts in labour policy. These include amendments of employment and social protection regulations, as well as the strengthen...Read More

TAGS: Asia