The Climate Change-Human Trafficking Nexus (India)
2016
- Author
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- World region
- South Asia
- Origin of migration
- India
- Area of transit
- No data available
- Destination of migration
- India
- Who is affected
- Farmers
- Type of climatic event
-
Slow-onset event
Droughts.
- Type of migration/mobility
-
Internal, Rural to urban
- Destination industry or sector
-
Brick kilns, Commercial sexual exploitation, Construction
*(Commerical sexual exploitation - sex work)
- Type of modern slavery
-
Forced labour, Human trafficking
Traffickers recruit during times of hardship, normally before the harvest or during droughts.
- Link between climate change, migration and modern slavery
- Indirect
- Key vulnerability factors
-
Loss of income and debt.
- Summary
-
This document collects evidence on the link between climate change, migration and human trafficking. It notes that increased vulnerability to human trafficking as a result of distress migration in the context of climate change is still not sufficiently acknowledged. This situation contributes to communities remaining vulnerable. Desperation pushes some families and individuals to facilitate human traffickers' work to earn an income. Extractive businesses also play a role in worsening vulnerability to modern slavery. Evidence on the exposure of men and boys to human trafficking is lacking compared to that on women, and more research is needed on this overarching topic.
- Recommendations
-
Communities affected by climate change should be assisted to move, to protect individuals' safety, dignity and freedom from modern slavery. Responses to human trafficking should address climate change impacts that increase vulnerability to modern slavery. The source recommends specific interventions for before, during and after extreme climate change events.
