Effects of Debt Bondage on the Transnational Relationships of Human Trafficked Victims - Research Proposal Example

Effects of Debt Bondage on the Transnational Relationships of Human Trafficked Victims Introduction Debt bondage – also known as bonded labour is referring to a special labour arrangement wherein labourers are left with no choice but to pay a certain amount of loan or advance payment even before the worker is hired to work (The Peoples Movement for Human Rights Education (PDHRE)). More or less similar to debt slavery, the victims of human trafficking are often the ones facing the consequences of debt bondage. Transnationalism is a form of social movement that aims to interconnect people regardless of their nationality, race, culture and traditions. As a way to counteract the social consequences associated with human trafficking and the violation of human rights, transnational human movements studies the “challenging ability of states to control their borders, their identities and their residents” (Koser, p. 242). As a common knowledge, debt bondage is one form of ‘slavery’ that clearly violates the human rights. Although there were a lot of treaties, declarations and conventions that aimed to rectify the increasing number of slavery cases around the world failed to abolish the existence of debt slavery. In relation to the high number of debt bondage cases around the world, ways in which debt bondage either affect or effect the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims will be tackled in details. Prior to conclusion, recommended ways on how we can minimize the negative effects of debt bondage over the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims will be provided. Theoretical Framework Aside from describing the concept of debt bondage and the main purpose of transnational relationship among the human trafficked victims, the first part of the study will gather literature review concerning the potential effects of debt bondage on the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims. The most recent academic materials and news reports will be collected to ensure that the study will tackle the latest issues concerning this topic. Divided in two sections, the second part of the study will interview a couple of transnational relations experts that handles human trafficking cases and conduct a research survey study to determine the respondents’ perception concerning the potential effects of debt bondage over the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims. In support to the research survey study, the Interview questions will focus on gathering information on how significant NGOs are responding to the increasing number of human trafficked victims. Empirical Background Being one of the fastest criminal industries around the world, the United Nations reported approximately 2.5 million people across 127 countries have become a victim of human trafficking (United Nations, p. 6). Despite the effort exerted by the local and international organizations in controlling this problem, it is difficult to eliminate the high incidence of human trafficking because of lack of knowledge, weak national legal framework, insufficient policy and capacity to respond to human trafficking and debt bondage, limited protection and assistance given to the victims, and inadequate international cooperation among related organizations (United Nations, p. 1). In European Union alone, there are approximately 270,000 victims of human trafficking (Global Times). For many years, countries like Albania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Moldova, Romania, Russia and Ukraine are among the common sources wherein children and women becomes a victim of human trafficking (Loncle). Because of the increasing number of human trafficking victims, the local government is working with other non-government and intergovernmental organizations in terms of educating the people concerning this issue (humantrafficking.org). Although these organizations are working on human trafficking prevention, little is known with regards to the transnational relationships of the human trafficking victims. Research Questions In relation to determining the possible effects of debt bondage on the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims, the following research questions will be used throughout the research study: 1. What are the short- and long-term relationships between the human trafficked victims and their employers in terms of balancing the intimacy of their business relationship? 2. Are all victims of debt bondage a victim of human trafficking? 3. How did the victims of human trafficking negotiate their expected roles and expectations prior to the agreement on debt bondage? 4. What are the possible effects of debt bondage over the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims? a. Are there any specific social groups that unite the victims of human trafficking or debt bondage? b. How do victims cope with their negative experiences? 5. What are the ways in which we can counteract the negative effects of debt bondage over the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims? Methodology (Quantitative vs. Qualitative) Research Design In relation to the research questions, the study will combine the use of a quantitative survey and a structured personal interview questionnaire based on the survey questions that will be formulated by the researcher. A semi-structured interview questionnaire will be used as a template to ensure that all necessary questions will be asked during the personal interview. The expertise of at least 2 individuals working with humantraffic.org is needed to provide us with necessary information concerning the issue on debt bondage and what they know about the transnational relationships among the human trafficked victims. Qualified interviewee should have at least 3 years of working experience in this field. A total of 100 research respondents who has been a victim of human trafficking will be invited to participate in the research survey portion. To increase the chances of gathering a total of 100 research respondents1, several organizations such as the Human Rights Watch (HRW), Human Trafficking.org, and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) that either directly or indirectly handles human trafficking cases will be contacted for assistance (Gallagher)2. This portion will focused on determining the personal experiences including the possible effects of debt bondage over the transnational relationships of human trafficked victims. The quantitative research survey results will be analyzed using simple statistics on excel software. It is important to analyze the research findings with the best of the researcher’s ability to prevent bias result. To minimize the risk of bias conclusion, the gathered information will be useful in analyzing the gathered research findings. Through the use of the Internet and library resources, the secondary data collection will be composed of related academic journals and news reports. Social Relevance The victims of human trafficking and debt bondage are often being forced physically or enticed by false promises (United Nations Department of Public Information). As a special working arrangement, the problem with debt bondage is that there is a strong possibility for vulnerable group of workers to be trapped in situations wherein the victims have to work hard for little or no pay at all. It is also possible for them to work more than the amount of money that was given to them in advance either because their travel documents were taken away from them or due to false information that they received concerning their human rights and law that penalizes the code of labour (U.S. Department of State). Other than the use of deception or physical coercion, debt bondage is also used as a bait sexual trafficking. Because of the inability of the workers to pay their accumulated debt with employment agencies, travelling cost, and visa; most of the victims were forced to work as prostitutes in another state or country. Because of poverty and lack of sufficient knowledge, the most common victims of human trafficking are the uneducated individuals (United Nations, p. 1). In line with this, educating the most vulnerable group of individuals concerning the consequences of human trafficking and debt bondage could minimize the high incidence and unreported cases of debt bondage. Making social support group available and accessible to people could strengthen the transnational relationships among the human trafficked victims. By educating the people concerning the importance and significance of a social support group towards the ability of the human trafficked victims to cope with the emotional, physical, and psychological stress caused by debt bondage, the victims of human trafficking will be able to easily cope with their problems. Academic Relevance Women and children are the common victims of human trafficking. In line with this, increasing the academic exposure of the students with regards to the social consequences of debt bondage and human trafficking could minimize the risk that the students and young individuals would become a victim of human trafficking. Conducting more research study concerning this topic could help rectify the high incidence of debt bondage in the future. Not only would the students be able to help the vulnerable group of individuals from becoming a victim of human trafficking, it will also make them aware not to become entice with debt bondage in case of financial difficulty. References Gallagher, Anna Marie. "Southern Refugee Legal Aid Network." 2010. Victims of Trafficking. 16 May 2010 . "Global Times." 19 November 2009. UN estimates 270,000 trafficked in EU . 16 May 2010 . "humantrafficking.org." 2010. Burma. 16 May 2010 . Koser, K. "Refugees, Transnationalism and the State." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (2007): Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 233-254. Loncle, Francois. December 2001. Eastern Europe Exports Flesh to the EU. The Natasha Trade. 16 May 2010 . "The Peoples Movement for Human Rights Education (PDHRE)." 2010. Slavery Convention and the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery. 16 May 2010 . "U.S. Department of State." 6 March 2007. United Kingdom. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 13 May 2010 . "United Nations." January 2008. Human Trafficking: An Overview. 16 May 2010 . "United Nations Department of Public Information ." February 2000. New Global Treaty to Combat "Sex Slavery" of Women and Girls. 16 May 2010 . Time Frame (Duration of Six Months) The proposed research study will be completed within the time span of six (6) months. In line with this, the following schedule will be used throughout the completion of the research study: Events 1 Conduct related literature review   2 Design research interview questionnaire     3 Contact & set appointment with 2 experts from humantrafficking.com     4 Design Research Survey Questionnaire       5 Contact Related Organizations & Gather List of Potential Respondents     6 Set Appointment & Conduct Actual Research Survey Study       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Week Events 6 Set Appointment & Conduct Actual Research Survey Study   7 Analyse Interview Results     3 Tally & Analyze the Research Survey Findings     4 Finalize Research Findings       16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Week Ethics As part of the research study, it is ethical to personally seek the approval of the two randomly selected qualified interviewee and research survey respondents followed by explaining to them the main purpose of the study. When conducting the interview, interviewer should keep in mind that a strategic questioning is highly correlated to the accuracy and validity of the survey results. It means that data that has been collected through an interview process and other data gathering techniques such as the actual research survey should always be appropriate to the research question of the study. For this reason, it is necessary for the interviewer to carefully prepare the type of questions to be asked with the interviewee and research respondents. With regards to the analysis and interpretation of the gathered primary information, the researcher will analyze the qualitative research findings together with the gathered secondary data. This will minimize the risk of gathering bias result. *** End *** Read More