Labor Trafficking: Part 2 – The Most Common Forms of Forced Labor

Ep2_Labor Trafficking_ Part 2 - The Most Common Forms of Forced Labor_ Show Art

Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network 

Show Name:  Speaking for the Silenced

Episode 2:  Labor Trafficking: Part 2 – The Most Common Forms of Forced Labor

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You are listening to the Speaking for the Silenced podcast with your host(s) Jacqueline Sun.

In this episode of Speaking for the Silenced, we will continue the Labor Trafficking segment with the second part and go in depth on the most common forms of forced labor occurring across the world. I will focus on three in particular, which are factory labor, agricultural labor, and domestic work.

Segment 1: Factory Labor

  • Labor trafficking is in the context of the manufacturing of goods.
  • Men, women, and children are all virtually equally exploited, many workers caught in factory labor are immigrants. 
  • In these industries, the trafficked take on jobs involving repetitive, systemic labor. 
  • Meat processing industry: not strenuous, but mind-numbing.
  • Garment industry: far more dangerous (fire, machinery)
  • In November 2012, Tazreen Fashions Garment Factory burned down (112).
  • Ali Enterprises burned down (250)
  • Many more industries are involved in labor trafficking, but there are too many to count.

Segment 2:  Agricultural Labor

  • Labor trafficking is also a common occurrence in the agricultural industries.
  • Latin America is especially guilty of this.
  • Labor is not confined to one region, not constant throughout the year.
  • Irregularity and isolation makes the workers more vulnerable. 
  • North Carolina especially exploits immigrant workers.
  • RTI International found 25% of all workers in NC experienced threats of violence/deportation, 39% experienced abuse.
  • Law enforcement were unaware of the trafficking. 
  • Their words contrasted with what was actually happening.

Segment 3:  Domestic Labor

  • Domestic Labor is the last form we are focusing on.
  • Mostly involving women.
  • 65% of domestic workers in the US are immigrants or people of color.
  • The trafficked workers often work 12+ hours a day 6 or 7 days a week in their employers’ homes.
  • Employers exploit their workers’ lack of knowledge about US laws and regulations.
  • Workers depend heavily on jobs.
  • Story of Lili Huang and her trafficked, Chinese nanny.
  • No doubt many other victims whose stories have not been told. 

Music Credits:   

  • Brooklyn and the Bridge by Nico Staf
  • At the Restaurant by Monolog Rockstars

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In episode 2 of Speaking for the Silenced, we discuss Labor Trafficking (part 2) & the most common forms of forced labor occurring across the world.

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