New Research on Human Trafficking For Purpose of Forced Labour
Posted on: 15 October 2008
Research carried out by the Irish School of Ecumenics at Trinity College Dublin shows cases of trafficking for labour exploitation occurring since 2003, affecting migrant workers in the restaurant trade, agriculture, domestic work and construction. The research, funded by the IRCHSS, is part of a European Science Foundation project in six European countries on ‘Human Trafficking for Purposes other than the Sex Industry’.
“Trafficking for forced labour is a reality in Ireland today,” stated Dr Gillian Wylie of the School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin, speaking at a seminar entitled ‘Trafficking for Forced Labour: Realities and Responses,’ launching the research on October 14 last. “Although there is considerable political momentum against trafficking in Ireland at the moment the paradox is that by formalising a definition of the trafficked who may receive limited protection may leave many people who are in need of protection without any”.
“Our research shows there are many grey areas between trafficking as it is strictly defined in Irish legislation and regular employment. Deceived people may have been moved across borders but not be exploited in the end, undocumented immigrants may become so through no fault of their own. Or smuggled people may be horribly exploited but not deemed fit for protection because of the way they entered the state. In our research we have encountered instances of all these scenarios, leading us to wonder whether the defining of trafficking in Irish law will actually bring justice for anyone”.
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“The majority of migrant workers experiencing difficulties in Ireland exist at different points along a continuum of exploitation. Recognising this begs the question as to whether enacting a strict definition of trafficking will in fact have the consequence of creating hierarchies of victims, separating those deemed to be trafficked and therefore deserving of protection from those who, despite experiencing exploitation, are by contrast ‘illegal’ and deportable” .
Speaking about responses to human trafficking in the UK, the Head of Policy and Communications at the UK Gangmasters Licensing Authority, Mr David Nix told the seminar: “The GLA is at the forefront of the UK Government’s drive to tackle labour exploitation. Set up following the Morecambe Bay tragedy in 2005, the Authority has quickly made a difference to migrant workers in the UK labour market.”
Speakers at the event were:
– Mr David Nix, Head of Policy and Communications, UK Gangmasters Licensing Authority, who spoke about Protecting vulnerable workers: regulation vs. enforcement
– Ms Edel McGinley Team Leader for Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Migrants Rights Centre Ireland who discussed ‘Workplace Exploitation in Ireland: Putting Forced Labour on the Agenda’
– Dr Gillian Wylie and Deirdre Coghlan gave an update on their research on ‘Defining Trafficking/Denying Justice? Trafficking for Forced labour in Ireland’