Tricked and Trapped: Human Trafficking in the Middle East, ‎pdf 4.1 MB

3.3. OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
3.3.1. At a glance: Key findings on work in other economic areas
The researchers met with migrants in construction, manufacturing, trade,
support services and agriculture, as well as seafarers. The workers interviewed
were from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines
and Sri Lanka in Asia; from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria in the
Middle East; from Ethiopia and Sudan in Africa; and from Brazil in Latin
America. A total of 188 individuals (164 men and 24 women) aged between
18 and 51 years were interviewed. They came from rural and urban areas,
and most identified themselves as coming from either poor or middle-class
families; only a few respondents stated that they came from very poor
backgrounds. Many of those interviewed had at least some secondary school
education, and several individuals had attended university as well. The vast
majority had migrated to the Middle East for the first time, and claimed
they had taken the decision to work abroad themselves; only a few said they
had been influenced by family relatives. At the time of the interviews, the
migrant workers were in a variety of situations. Some had a regular working
status, others were in irregular work, and some were detained and awaiting
deportation.
Data were also gathered from a variety of other key informants, who provided
information on the migration process and its ensuing challenges. They include
government officials from ministries of labour, interior, justice, foreign affairs
and social affairs, as well as government representatives from countries of
origin stationed at the embassies and consulates of destination countries.
Information was also collected from owners and managers of companies,
chambers of commerce and industry, workers’ organizations and migrants’
associations, as well as from local and international NGOs in countries of
both origin and destination. The research team also met with lawyers, media
professionals and specialists from international organizations.
Analysis of the data revealed four main processes of human trafficking for
forced labour in these other economic sectors (table 3.3). The research did
not find any evidence of coercive practices during the recruitment process
of migrant workers, such as the abduction or sale of a worker, or the threat
of penalties, for example against family members. However, some of those
interviewed did report being deceived by recruitment agents and employers
about the nature of the job, the working and living conditions, or the very
existence of the job.
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