The severe shortage of labour across all industries in some parts of the country has resulted in large scale migration from across the country to these areas. This has created a flourishing market for human traffickers who organise people (largely young people) to move from the northern and eastern parts of the country to the southern and western parts of the country to meet an almost unlimited demand for labour in agriculture, plantations, manufacturing, hotels and restaurants. However, as these people arrive as individuals in their final location, they are not unionised or organised to ensure that they are not exploited. Young women in these positions are particularly vulnerable as they are likely to be exploited in the sex trade.
Often, spaces that are meant to protect youth become sites of violence and exploitation. Family and the home is one such space where youth could be subject to physical, verbal or mental abuse on account of expressing their opinions, sexuality, political affiliations or taking decisions that are against the wishes of elders.
In this context, the Youth right to protection from all forms of exploitation includes:
Right to protection from human trafficking
Right to protection from sexual exploitation