NCJ Number
232655
Date Published
2010
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report examines what is known about labor trafficking in Australia, based on incidences of reported crimes as well as information about unreported crime.
Abstract
The first of four sections of this report examines the concept of labor trafficking itself. It considers the origin of the term "labor trafficking" and what it means. Although currently there is no accepted definition of labor trafficking, the term is widely used to refer to those forms "of trafficking in persons" defined in Article 3 of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. Labor trafficking refers to exploitation in industries other than the sex industry. This can include forced labor, slavery, and servitude. Each of these terms has an established meaning that is variably defined in international and Australian jurisprudence. The second section of the report includes a review of the information that is available about known or suspected incidences of labor trafficking detected by or brought to the attention of the Australian Government's response to labor trafficking. The report's third section considers the range of information known or suspected instances of labor trafficking detected or brought to the attention of organizations outside of the Australian Government's response. This information provides valuable insights into experiences that might remain unknown to the Federal agencies working labor trafficking. The fourth section of the report examines responses to labor trafficking. The nature of Australia's existing response to trafficking in persons has been refined in recent years; however, there is an interest in exploring what other options might be considered beyond what currently exists. Drawing on the international literature, this section reviews the range of options being recommended internationally, including ensuring that laws criminalize the exploitative features of trafficking for forced labor. References and appended interview list, operational indicators of labor trafficking recommended for use by the International Labor Organization, and JobWatch case studies