Citation

Allen ED, Strait PB. Glob. Stud. J. 2013; 5(2): 115-126.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Common Ground Publishers)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Thus far, research pertaining to human trafficking and forced labor has concentrated on three aspects: child labor, women in sex trade, and international legislation as a response to human trafficking. This paper offers a new perspective as it examines natural disasters as a magnet for forced labor. Utilizing the Catalysts and Magnets Theory of immigration, which contends that country of origin catalysts and host country magnets must both be present in order for migration to take place; this paper asserts that a natural disaster can function as a magnet which draws and at times encourages forced labor. Using a framework of analysis that included socioeconomic, political and legal variables, two countries were examined for purposes of this research, the United States and Japan. Specifically, in the case of the United States, the 2005 natural disaster Hurricane Katrina was studied, and in the instance of Japan, the earthquake that created the Tsunami in 2011. Based on these two case studies and the Catalysts and Magnets Theory, a set of specific factors that promote forced labor during times of natural disaster are identified.

Keywords: Human Trafficking, Forced Labor, Natural Disasters, Catalysts and Magnets Theory

Language: en