Selected for the Global Economic Symposium 2010

The exploitation and trafficking of men, women and children is a humanitarian problem of global scale. At least 12 million people worldwide are trapped in conditions of forced labor, a fifth of these are being exploited as a result of human trafficking. These forms of modern day slavery have become one of the most profitable and most horrifying businesses in the world. Human trafficking and coerced labor is said to be the fastest growing source of income for organized crime and its third most important, exceeded only by drugs and arms trade. A fundamental reason for trafficking and exploitation is the demand for cheap workers and prostitutes in both developing and developed countries. At the same time, there are millions of poor and vulnerable people who are willing to depart and seek a better life abroad. But, with closed borders, there are only few legal job opportunities in destination countries. This situation has created a breeding ground for smugglers, traffickers and exploitative employers willing to use force or restraint to make a profit.