Labor Trafficking

At 31:8 Project, our commitment to ending labor trafficking begins with a clear understanding of the problem—and that understanding is sharpened when we carefully reason through the differences between labor trafficking and labor exploitation. Labor trafficking involves deliberate coercion, fraud, or force, elements that render it not only a grave human rights abuse but also a criminal act under the law. In contrast, labor exploitation, while still unethical and often illegal, typically arises from systemic neglect or economic imbalances rather than the deliberate use of coercive tactics. This distinction is critical because it informs our approach: for trafficking cases, we must focus on immediate rescue and legal intervention, whereas cases of exploitation might require broader systemic reforms and worker protection measures. In North Dakota, where 1,260 H-2A and 94 H-2B visa holder employers operate as of February 2025, these differences become particularly salient. They highlight how diverse and pervasive the challenges are—even in regions that might otherwise be overlooked. By reasoning through these nuances, 31:8 Project can more effectively advocate for tailored solutions that both protect vulnerable workers and dismantle the networks that allow such abuses to persist.

2024 List of Good Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) maintains a list of goods and their source countries which it has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards, as required under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2005 and subsequent reauthorizations. The List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor comprises 204 goods from 82 countries and areas, as of September 5, 2024.

2024 List of Good Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor

U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division

Polaris Project