Founder
You may have heard of sex or human trafficking, but did you know that labor trafficking is illegal as well? Do you know what labor trafficking is?
Labor trafficking is a serious and often overlooked form of human trafficking that occurs when individuals are compelled to work through force, fraud, or coercion. Unlike sex or human trafficking, which tends to receive more public attention, labor trafficking can be hidden in plain sight. Labor trafficking does not require the use of overt physical force, and victims work among us and in our communities.
While most people think labor trafficking is limited to industries such as agriculture, construction, domestic work or hospitality, it can be found anywhere, even in professional settings, and it can include employees with advanced degrees or specialized education.
Victims of labor trafficking may be threatened with deportation, manipulated through abusive contracts or debt, subjected to unsafe working conditions or have their wages withheld. Some employers use tactics like controlling identification or visa documents, threatening financial ruin or abusing the legal process to intimidate workers into staying in exploitative jobs. Some work contracts have rules called “training repayment agreements” or “stay-or-pay” plans that make workers pay large fees just for quitting their job. In some cases, these can be so harsh that it feels like the person is being forced to stay at the job against their will.
Fortunately for workers, labor trafficking is prohibited under both federal and Florida law. The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) provides civil remedies for victims and allows for substantial damages, including compensation for unpaid wages, emotional distress, punitive damages as well as attorney’s fees. The TVPRA provides a powerful remedy with a ten-year statute of limitations.
Florida law also prohibits labor trafficking, and victims may be entitled to recover three times their financial damages, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.
If you suspect that you or someone you know has been coerced into working under such conditions, it is essential to seek legal guidance. Understanding your rights is the first step to protecting yourself and holding unlawful employers accountable.
Schedule a consultation with us here.
