People who have been trafficked for the purpose of labour exploitation are typically made to work in sectors such as the following: agriculture, construction, entertainment, service industry and manufacturing (in sweatshops).

People who have been trafficked for labour exploitation may:

• Live in groups in the same place where they work and leave those premises infrequently, if at all
• Live in degraded, unsuitable places, such as in agricultural or industrial buildings
• Not be dressed adequately for the work they do: for example, they may lack protective equipment or warm clothing
• Be given only leftovers to eat
• Have no access to their earnings
• Have no labour contract
• Work excessively long hours
• Depend on their employer for a number of services, including work, transportation and accommodation
• Have no choice of accommodation
• Never leave the work premises without their employer
• Be unable to move freely
• Be subject to security measures designed to keep them on the
• work premises
• Be disciplined through fines
• Be subjected to insults, abuse, threats or violence
• Lack basic training and professional licences

The following might also indicate that people have been trafficked for labour exploitation:

• Notices have been posted in languages other than the local language
• There are no health and safety notices
• The employer or manager is unable to show the documents required for employing workers from other countries
• The employer or manager is unable to show records of wages paid to workers
• The health and safety equipment is of poor quality or is missing
• Equipment is designed or has been modified so that it can be operated by children
• There is evidence that labour laws are being breached
• There is evidence that workers must pay for tools, food or accommodation or that those costs are being deducted from their wages