Labor migration: analysis of trafficking risks

Abstract

Globalization has contributed to freer movement of people, goods and services across international borders, with an obvious trend of migration from poorer to wealthier countries. Unregulated migration processes worldwide, resulted in the growth of trafficking in human beings. Trafficking in humans is referred to as a modern form of slavery, as it is a denial of every fundamental human right and freedom. Trafficking in humans is the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world, victimizing millions of people and profiting from 5-7 billion dollars a year. Unregulated migration processes can contribute to trafficking and increase the vulnerability of migrants to become victims of trafficking. Thus, effective measures towards regulating migration processes are needed worldwide. In Armenia human trafficking has become a growing phenomenon and it increases rapidly. Armenia is considered to be a source country for men, women and girls subjected to trafficking. Decrease in economic well-being, unregulated borders, corrupt government officials, job opportunity disparities between men and women in Armenia highly contribute to the development of trafficking. Since 2002, the Republic of Armenia undertook some steps to address the problem of human trafficking. Although many institutions deal with the issues of migration and trafficking in Armenia, there are significant shortcomings in their functions and responsibilities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the state policies on migration and trafficking. The study concentrates on the impacts of migration, the governmental policy towards regulating labor migration, as well as addresses the efforts of the government of the Republic of Armenia in eliminating trafficking in human beings. After considering the analyzed data and findings, the paper comes up with practical and implementable recommendations.