IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
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Introduction
The research aims at unearthing the extent to which globalization has contributed towards cross-border human trafficking in the Southeast Asian region. As such, countries such as Singapore have undertaken measures to avert the danger posed by human trafficking in contemporary society. Therefore, human trafficking is outlined as the illegal smuggling of people for exploitation and personal gains. Thus, social and economic globalization has played a key role in encouraging human trafficking for activities such as forced labor and prostitution. As a result, globalization has continuously encouraged human trafficking for debt bondages, forced prostitution, and labor. Poor countries are the main source of human trafficking while rich nations being their destination. Consequently, destiny economies have created a strong link between human trafficking and globalization thus Singapore must enact laws to stop the spread of the vice in modern society. Therefore, globalization and neoliberalism have played a critical role in developing a modern Singapore in the fight against human trafficking.
Human trafficking in Southeast Asia
In 2008, 54 people comprising of women and children from Myanmarese origin, asphyxiated as smugglers aboard a container truck attempted to cross the Thailand border. The voluntary illegal immigrants on board the truck sought better work opportunities in Thailand. They had no understanding of what the traveling conditions would be when they paid around 5,000 Baht each ($150) for the arrangement[1]. Their calls to the driver went unheard when the phone connecting the front and back of the truck switched off. Thai police pulled over the suspicious container truck. Moans and banging from the container’s interior caused the driver to flee. Later the driver was arrested and the remaining 66 survivors were incarcerated for illegal immigration.
These people became statistics of the war against human trafficking in Southeast Asia. People continue to be trafficked, abused, and exploited because of their impoverishment. Human Trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry that economically, mentally, and physically affects families in the Southeast Asia region mostly Singapore. In recent years, a regional movement responding to the growing number of trafficking cases is trying to thwart traffickers who profit off the misfortune and abuse of Southeast Asian trafficking victims. The legislation came to the forefront of ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) politics concerning human rights and security in the region in recent years. But is it enough to curb the efforts of smugglers and traffickers? Finally, most countries in Southeast Asia such as Singapore has over the years been involved in web trafficking[2]. As such, globalization has played a key role in promoting human trafficking in the region. As a result, governmental institutions in Singapore need to enact laws that prohibit human trafficking with tough penalties being placed on the offenders.
The Institutional Liberalism International Relations theory explains how ASEAN will develop its human trafficking prevention policies. Over the years, globalization and international relations in Singapore have developed historical and social contingency to foster human trafficking[3]. So, world politics have heavily influenced the impact of human trafficking thus supporting its prejudices to the affiliated parties. The development of institutions like ASEAN 2015 will impact how criminal activities like human trafficking can be solved. ASEAN’s mission statement for the security community states[4]. Consequently, globalization has led to the establishment of the ASEAN political-security community (APSC) to ensure Singapore develops a collective approach in addressing human trafficking relative to neoliberal preferences. So, ASEAN should be utilized by Singapore to develop mechanisms aimed at addressing concerns posed by human trafficking in the region. Therefore, Singapore would be capable of averting human trafficking as the modern form of slavery thus achieving social sustainability.
Sex trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery whereby individuals are forced or coerced to engage in commercial sex. As such, commercial trafficking has been existence in diverse venues and businesses where young and vulnerable girls are sexually exploited for commercial gains. In Singapore, the trafficking and victims protection act of 2000 outlines sex trade as the recruitment and solicitation of individuals through force, coercion, or fraud involving children under the age of 18 years. Moreover, sex trafficking is distinguishable from other forms of commercial sex since force is utilized to compel persons into the act against their wish[5]. Minors are the most vulnerable victims of human trafficking since they cannot make their own decisions. Therefore, the demand for sex trafficking is considered a crime since it is against the will of persons involved in the business.
Traffickers utilize a well-coordinated psychological concept that lures persons into fake promises and ends up being victims of the societal vice. Victims of sex trafficking are subjected to serious threats such as harm and physical restraints; hence end up being exploited by unscrupulous individuals. Hence, the victims are threatened against seeking justice hence inflicting fear into their lives[6]. Consequently, sex trafficking victims face psychological harm such as fear, trauma, and memory problems which further complicates their lives. Hence, the victims may be faced by traumatic bonding, thus resulting in the form of coercive control and gratitude for being allowed to live [7]. In the long-run, sex trafficking victims ends up losing hope to live due to the various pains that have been instilled into their lives. Finally, sex trafficking victims are forcibly exploited for commercial purposes and many lured into prostitution.
Impact of globalization on human trafficking in Singapore
The world has developed to become a global village thus increasing the prevalence of forced and voluntary people’s transfer. The increased movement of people across borders can be attributed to globalization based on its impacts[8]. As such, globalization has increased Singapore’s human trafficking business due to its lucrative nature thus fast spreading in modern society. The development of the global economy in Singapore such as free trade and flow of goods and capital thus necessitated human trafficking as investors seek cheap labor across borders. Therefore, modern slavery and human trafficking can be attributed to the impacts of the globalization process[9]. Moreover, globalization and neoliberalism have resulted in dispersed economic activities hence increasing the prevalence of human trafficking in Singapore due to the need for cheap labor. Hence, I outline globalization as the key perpetrator of human trafficking in Singapore thus the need to develop mitigating measures to address concerns posed by modern slavery.
Moreover, economic globalization is the key facilitator of human trafficking in Singapore due to the integration of the world’s economy. The advent of globalization has ensured human trafficking is a lucrative venture for traffickers despite having dire consequences if found guilty. The trans-Atlantic slave trade epitomized human trafficking due to the advent of economic globalization in the Southeast Asian region[10]. Reports provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO) show that human trafficking accrues benefits around $32 billion thus expected to flourish despite government initiatives to curb the vice. Consequently, economic globalization has resulted in global apartheid which corresponds to the emergence of the new fourth world. Hence, economic globalization has resulted in exorbitant numbers of vulnerable human trafficking victims globally. The report provided by ASEAN states indicates that 600,000 to 800,000 individuals mostly women and children are trafficked across borders annually. The numbers are expected to rise since the globalization age is characterized by economic disparities and inequalities between developed and developing countries.
International organizations in Singapore such as Interpol and UN have developed strategies to combat human trafficking. The adoption of Palermo Interpol has been initiated to address globalization concerns leading to human trafficking in the form of sexual exploitation. Hence, Singapore has enacted anti-trafficking laws to mitigate risks posed by globalization thus aligning to international standards to create awareness on the societal vice. Hence, I suppose that human trafficking risks have led to the development of laws to protect victims and prosecute the offenders as stipulated by the Singaporean constitution[11]. Besides, a multi-tiered approach has been developed to address globalized human trafficking in Singapore through the adoption of pro-active stances against sexual exploitation and forced labor. As such, globalization negative impact has led to the development of advocacy programs to avert the growing global trend on the need for the cheap workforce from undeveloped countries.
Moreover, globalization has led to the development of legal channels facilitating human trafficking in Singapore. As such, the need for globalization has led to traffickers offering lucrative opportunities through a legal process across borders in the Southeast Asia region. Human trafficking within Singapore’s borders has increased due to gender and social inequalities thus pushing individuals to migrate in search of good development opportunities. Thus, globalization has played a critical role in increasing crime through socio-economic inequalities in the Asian region hence an upsurge in the number of vulnerable individuals[12]. Economic globalization has fuelled human trade through the development of trade routes across borders in Singapore. Officers have over the years been bribed to facilitate human trafficking as an illicit activity despite enacting laws against the societal vice. Furthermore, globalization through internet platforms have facilitated prostitution and women labor exploitation. Hence, I stipulate that the Singaporean government should enact strict measures aimed at identifying unscrupulous law enforcers.
Strategies adopted by Singapore to curb human trafficking
Singapore has criminalized human trafficking through the PHTA act which seeks to prevent sexual exploitation of trafficked individuals. The law was enacted as a statute of the Singaporean parliament to protect vulnerable individuals. As such, the law aims at preventing individuals from knowingly receiving or making payments connected to human trafficking since it is exploitation thus a criminal offense. So, Singapore through the PHTA act deters in-person human trafficking while supporting initiatives by non-governmental organizations to rehabilitate trafficked victims. Consequently, Singapore has enacted severe penalties on individuals found guilty of human trafficking and monetary compensation from trafficked victims. On the other hand, Singapore spearheads to address gender and societal inequalities leading to human trafficking as a strategic approach to curb the vice[13]. Social inequalities have emerged due to globalization thus strong initiatives must be developed to protect vulnerable individuals in the Southeast Asia region.
Moreover, Singapore has increased awareness and its support towards laws enacted to address human trafficking[14]. For instance, the Singaporean government has spearheaded the development of anti-trafficking initiatives from the grassroots level to raise awareness. As such, anti-trafficking efforts undertaken by the government have helped mitigate the risks posed by increased globalization in contemporary society. I believe the development of the national human trafficking resource center has helped rehabilitate trafficking victims to provide essential services and immigration assistance[15]. Several awareness events have been organized in Singapore to discuss concepts developed through human trafficking. Hence, Singaporeans have been able to unearth critical concepts required to combat risks posed by globalization towards human trafficking. For example, governmental agencies have been able to exemplify the different forms of modern slavery in Singapore based on the right corrective measure. Hence, I articulate that the government is doing everything to stop Singapore from being a human trafficking destination.
Furthermore, Singapore has developed protocols to identify and report suspected human trafficking cases thus responding to claims of abuse and exploitation. For instance, the universal protocol provides information on means to interact with victims of human trafficking and mitigate risks posed by globalization in the modern Singapore[16]. The protocols have been adopted to protect human trafficking victims since they fear to speak out due to retaliation directed to them by the traffickers. As such, I stipulate that the protocols would help human trafficking victims to outline prejudices subjected to them by their perpetrators. Anti-trafficking governmental agencies in Singapore, therefore, has the right to take action against individuals found guilty of human trafficking. Consequently, the labor protocols provide guidelines and comprehensive information on avenues to report such cases as mandated by Singaporean laws. As such, a roadmap towards recovery is provided thus helping Singapore address human trafficking with the seriousness it deserves.
Also, social media platforms have been used to increase awareness of anti-trafficking campaigns. Hashtags such as #endtrafficking and #freedomfirst have been developed to raise awareness on the urgency to end human trafficking across Singapore’s borders. However, the government must regulate such campaigns to ensure they do not propagate hatred between different societal groups to jeopardize its efforts to curb human trafficking. The government has been critical in addressing risks posed by globalization and neoliberalism in Singapore since they castigate human trafficking[17]. Hence, the government has provided an avenue for human trafficking victims to air their concerns thus providing positive experiences. Nevertheless, I articulate that social media platforms have been used to promote human trafficking. For example, social media has been used to draw attention to sexual harassment. As such, social media platforms have been used to castigate violence against women in the form of sexual exploitation.
Finally, the government has promoted adherence to human rights as codified by the Singaporean constitution. As such, the government has ensured that the rights have evolved to articulate current concerns posed by globalization and neoliberalism-based on their impact on human trafficking. The penal code has criminalized most forms of human trafficking since they violate human rights and against an individual’s need for coexistence[18]. However, lack of genuine choices as increased the vulnerability of different social groups in Singapore thus projecting them to the different forms of forced labor and prostitution. Hence, human trafficking violates human rights since the victims are deprived of good living standards thus vulnerable to different forms of exploitation. As such, the victims must understand their human rights to minimize the chances of exploitation by the traffickers. Therefore, in the long run, the government would be capable of mitigating the risks posed by globalization towards facilitating human trafficking in Singapore.
Conclusion
The research has exemplified the role played by globalization in fostering human trafficking in Singapore. Economic globalization has resulted in increased migration with vulnerable groups being exploited in the search for a cheap workforce. Globalization impacts human trafficking in diverse ways since the world has changed to a global village thus easy movement across borders. However, Singapore has to develop a strategic approach to mitigate the risks posed by human trafficking since they are a major violation of human rights. Moreover, Singapore has developed strategic approaches to stop human trafficking in the region and provide a long-lasting solution to societal menace. For instance, the PHTA act has criminalized human trafficking with huge penalties directed to the perpetrators. Also, the Singaporean government has developed initiatives to increase awareness of the negative impacts of human trafficking in achieving sustainability in present Singapore. Hence, laws have been enacted to criminalize human trafficking and avert risks posed by societal prejudice.
Bibliography
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Cho, Seo-Young. “Integrating equality: Globalization, women’s rights, and human trafficking.” International Studies Quarterly 57, no. 4 (2013): 683-697. Link: https://academic.oup.com/isq/article-abstract/57/4/683/1812415
Chuang, Janie. “Beyond a snapshot: Preventing human trafficking in the global economy.” Global Legal Studies 13, no. 1 (2016): 137-163. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/gls.2006.13.1.137
Hall, Andrew. “The Uniform Act on Prevention of an Remedies for Human Trafficking.” Ariz. L. Rev. 56 (2014): 853. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/arz56§ion=30
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Wong, Ronald JJ, and Juay Wei Tian. “Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014: Legislation Comment.” Sing. J. Legal Stud. (2015): 261. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/sjls2015§ion=17
[1] Brewer, Devin. “Globalization and human trafficking.” Topical Research Digest: Human rights and human trafficking 2009 (2009): 46-56. Link: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/484f/b4659f3e97854410e30a9771bdb7ad0b8653.pdf
[2] Liu, Yanchuan. “The Commodification of Human Life: Human Trafficking in the Age of Globalization.” Macalester International 25, no. 1 (2010): 11. Link: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1480&context=macintl
[3] Liu, Yanchuan. “The Commodification of Human Life: Human Trafficking in the Age of Globalization.” Macalester International 25, no. 1 (2010): 11. Link: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1480&context=macintl
[4] Shelley, Louise. Human trafficking: A global perspective. Cambridge University Press, 2010. Link: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=XY8uJoYkNBsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR2&dq=Human+Trafficking+&ots=MDKuVk5J1v&sig=WokI5QtbME3z9Vadl2YtqSoA7Lg
[5] Peerapeng, Suk-Rutai, Prasert Chaitip, Chukiat Chaiboonsri, Sandor Kovacs, and Peter Balogh. “Impact of economic globalization on the human trafficking in the greater Mekong sub-region countries.” APSTRACT: Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce 6, no. 1033-2016-84180 (2013): 123-130. Link: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/147426/
[6] Majeed, M. Tariq, and Amna Malik. “Selling souls: An empirical analysis of human trafficking and globalization.” Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences (PJCSS) 11, no. 1 (2017): 353-388. Link: https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/188296
[7] Jones, Loring, David W. Engstrom, Tricia Hilliard, and Mariel Diaz. “Globalization and human trafficking.” J. Soc. & Soc. Welfare 34 (2007): 107. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/jrlsasw34§ion=22
[8] Chuang, Janie. “Beyond a snapshot: Preventing human trafficking in the global economy.” Global Legal Studies 13, no. 1 (2016): 137-163. Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/gls.2006.13.1.137
[9] Alpert, Elaine J., and Sharon E. Chin. “Human trafficking: Perspectives on prevention.” Human trafficking is a public health issue, pp. 379-400. Springer, Cham, 2017. Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-47824-1_22
[10] Cho, Seo-Young. “Integrating equality: Globalization, women’s rights, and human trafficking.” International Studies Quarterly 57, no. 4 (2013): 683-697. Link: https://academic.oup.com/isq/article-abstract/57/4/683/1812415
[11] Rahman, Majeed A. “Human Trafficking in the era of Globalization: The case of Trafficking in the Global Market Economy.” Transcience Journal 2, no. 1 (2011): 54-71. Link: https://www2.hu-berlin.de/transcience/Vol2_Issue1_2011_54_71_Glossary.pdf
[12] Wong, Ronald JJ, and Juay Wei Tian. “Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014: Legislation Comment.” Sing. J. Legal Stud. (2015): 261. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/sjls2015§ion=17
[13] Hall, Andrew. “The Uniform Act on Prevention of an Remedies for Human Trafficking.” Ariz. L. Rev. 56 (2014): 853. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/arz56§ion=30
[14] Onuoha, Browne. “The state human trafficking and human rights issues in Africa.” Contemporary Justice Review 14, no. 2 (2011): 149-166. Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10282580.2011.565973
[15] Jägers, Nicola, and Conny Rijken. “Prevention of human trafficking for labor exploitation: The role of corporations.” Northwestern Journal of Human Rights 12, no. 1 (2014): 47. Link: https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1167&context=njihr
[16] Todres, Jonathan. “Human rights, labor, and the prevention of human trafficking: A response to a labor paradigm for human trafficking.” UCLA L. Rev. Discourse 60 (2012): 142. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/ucladis60§ion=11
[17] Jägers, Nicola, and Conny Rijken. “Prevention of human trafficking for labor exploitation: The role of corporations.” Northwestern Journal of Human Rights 12, no. 1 (2014): 47. Link: https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1167&context=njihr
[18] Wong, Ronald JJ, and Juay Wei Tian. “Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014: Legislation Comment.” Sing. J. Legal Stud. (2015): 261. Link: https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/sjls2015§ion=17