Contemporary issues on human trafficking, migration and exploitation

Abstract

Human trafficking, migration and exploitation have experienced profound changes over the past decade or so. The ‘new landscape’ has a bearing on how we define these terms, as well as related concepts and terminologies. This, in turn, has implications for practice, policy, research and theory. New initiatives and programmes being pursued on trafficking also have a bearing on migration and exploitation. A rethink of definitions and theory, especially in migration studies, but also vis-à-vis the trafficking-migration-exploitation nexus, is required. Given this context, this paper begins with a brief introduction, followed by an outline of key facts, terms and definitions. Next, concepts and issues directly related to the trafficking-migration-exploitation nexus are explored. An outline of the implications for research and theory is then provided. Finally, new developments are discussed. The conclusions call for an expanded definition of trafficking, use of the nexus to advance a modicum of convergence in migration studies and – in order to effectively tackle some of the contemporary issues facing the nexus – the continued pursuit of novel initiatives that are a departure from the status quo.