Debt, exploitation and trafficking of labour migrants
December 11, 2023
Key Messages
- Access to credit can facilitate migration and contribute to improved life situations through greater livelihoods and opportunities.
- Over-indebtedness can lead to unsafe migration and exploitation.
- The high costs associated with irregular and, in particular, regular migration contribute to over-indebtedness, and associated risks of labour bondage and other forms of exploitation.
- To reduce the risk of debt-related exploitation and human trafficking, governments should ensure low-cost regular migration processes, prohibit recruitment agencies from charging workers for their services, and ensure that migrants do not have to rely on predatory loan schemes.