Human Trafficking in the Era of Globalization

Human trafficking is a human phenomenon that has been and continues to be practiced for centuries now (Ali et al 2001). Like the global economic crisis, human trafficking is a global crisis that is inextricably linked to the current move of globalization in the sex industries involving women and children (Hoque, 2010). Hoque examines the painful reality of female sex workers in Bangladesh and argues that the current rate of growth in sex trade in Bangladesh is fostered by social and economic vulnerabilities that impel young women to engage in commercial sex work. Consequently, what has emerged in Bangladesh and across the borders in India, Malaysia, Pakistan and other Middle Eastern countries is the culture of child trafficking both internally and across borders (Hoque 2010). In this paper, I will explore the dimensions of human trafficking by distinguishing between different types of trafficking. The distinction is based on the interpretation of the trafficked victim as a commodity. Thereby, several markets according to consumer needs can be distinguished. I will explain these consumer needs and the supply chains aimed at satisfying these needs. These chains have become increasingly globalized, which means that we have to understand the issue in the framework of contemporary globalization and especially global capitalism.