Denmark is known for ‘the Danish model’ with its fine-meshed welfare system that reflects a thoroughly regulated labour market. But underneath the regulations hides a complex labour market network, which for some labour migrants leads to exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking.

The research project Human Trafficking and Forced Labour (META) maps the migrants' route from their home countries to Denmark. What happens from the migrants' first meeting with the mediation agencies in their home country, until they are employed by Danish employers.

Invisible workers

The project shows how the migration industry (mediation agencies and education), the state's migration policy and digital systems become mechanisms that enable exploitation of labour migrants in agriculture, horticulture, cleaning and construction.

‘The visibility of migrants makes them vulnerable to exploitation in the labour market in ways that are invisible to the authorities. The exploitation takes place even though the migrants have a residence and work permit in Denmark’, says Head of Research Marlene Spanger, Department of Politics and Society.

The project also shows how the Danish labour market regulates the labour force, but it does not necessarily guarantee the rights of migrant workers.

The human trafficking legislation and efforts also do not ensure the rights of migrant workers, but merely regulate immigration to Denmark.

Read more

New research from Aalborg University (in Danish only): Sådan skjules udnyttelse og menneskehandel af udenlandske arbejdere i Danmark

Book (in Danish only): Migranters mobilitet – Mellem kriminalisering, menneskehandel og udnyttelse på det danske arbejdsmarked.

Contact

Associate Professor Marlene Spanger, Global Refugee Studies, Department of Politics og Society, , telephone: +45 5044 4180, email: spanger@dps.aau.dk