Social challenges and phenomena in society often emerge and disappear
depending on the economic and political situation in a country or globally. A vivid
example of this is the emergence of internally displaced persons as a consequence of
the full-scale war in Ukraine. At the same time, there are issues that remain relevant
regardless of circumstances. Among them are combating human trafficking and
protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Today, I would like to focus on the intersection of these two global challenges
in the social sphere. At first glance, they may appear to be separate areas of work;
however, based on my practical experience, I can confidently state that they are
closely interconnected. This connection is particularly evident in the field of labor
relations and the protection of labor rights of persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities often become victims of individuals willing to exploit
their vulnerable situation, difficult financial circumstances, or limited ability to defend
their own rights. I would like to share the story of one young man that prompted me to
reflect on the thin line between “assistance” and potential exploitation.
From an early age, he endured a series of severe life challenges: the early
death of his mother, the loss of his father in the war while defending Ukraine, and
mental impairments that make his speech difficult for others to understand. Despite
this, he is hardworking and willingly takes on any job, from mowing grass to
cleaning communal areas in his village.
The problem lies in the fact that the young man does not understand what fair
compensation for his work should be. On one hand, it may seem that fellow villagers
are doing a good deed by offering him opportunities to earn money. On the other
hand, a crucial question arises: how can he be protected from dishonest “employers”?
Can this situation be considered human trafficking if he is not paid at all for
his work, or if he is paid only half of what is due? In this case, the key elements
characteristic of human trafficking can be conditionally identified:
· Action — offering work without clear guarantees of payment;
· Means — vulnerability and abuse of the young man’s difficult
economic situation and disability;
· Purpose — obtaining benefit by underpaying for labor.
At the same time, in order to definitively and substantiatedly assert that this
constitutes human trafficking or labor exploitation, more information and a deeper
examination of the young man’s life circumstances would be required. Therefore, I
cannot unequivocally state that he has become a victim of exploitation, and I sincerely
hope for the integrity of those involved.
Nevertheless, this example is extremely important for drawing public attention
to the issue of protecting the labor rights of persons with disabilities and preventing
traffickers from exploiting their vulnerability. The number of persons with disabilities
in Ukraine is increasing as a result of the war. At the same time, there has been a
significant deterioration in the psycho-emotional state of both adults and children due
to constant air raid alerts, lack of sleep, chronic stress, threats to life, and worsening
economic conditions.
All these factors directly affect people’s physical and mental development,
increasing their level of vulnerability. This is why it is critically important to
strengthen the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly in the
field of employment, to stop traffickers from taking advantage of these circumstances
for their own gain.
Another telling example of systemic vulnerability involves situations in which
a person with a disability formally has the right to work but is effectively deprived of
the opportunity for legal employment. In my practice, I encountered a case where a
medical and social expert commission determined a list of specialized equipment and
specific workplace conditions for an individual. At first glance, this appears to be a
protective mechanism. In practice, however, these requirements became a barrier: no
employer was willing to create such conditions at their own expense. As a result, the
person was left without access to official employment.
The job search lasted several months and ultimately led to a choice without a
real choice: either remain without income or agree to informal employment without
contracts, social guarantees, or legal protection. Under such circumstances, the risk of
labor exploitation and human trafficking increases exponentially.
In communities outside major cities, awareness of labor rights is significantly
lower. Cases of labor exploitation occur there quite frequently but often remain
undetected, as victims do not seek help and do not identify themselves as victims,
perceiving such conditions as normal. Illustrative examples include cases where
elderly people were provided with “housing” in exchange for hard physical
labor, working in fields or, in other regions, tending orchards.
All these examples once again underscore the importance of knowing and
understanding one’s rights. Support for persons with disabilities in Ukraine must be
systemic, first and foremost in the field of rights protection. Therefore, preventive
measures aimed at informing the population about basic employment rules, the
necessity of concluding employment contracts, and the availability of assistance
centers for victims of labor exploitation or human trafficking are essential. Particular
attention should be paid to training professionals who work directly with people at the
local level.
One such support network is Caritas that operates seven centers for assisting
victims of human trafficking. One of these centers functions in Chernivtsi region, a
border region with heightened risks of exploitation. Preventive activities are
conducted there on a systematic basis, and it is crucial to continue this work,
consistently emphasizing human rights and paying particular attention to vulnerable
groups. After all, it is at the local level the community is formed in which our children
will live.
Anna Barbaziuk,
Project Coordinator on Combating Human Trafficking
in Caritas Chernivtsi (Ukraine)