Trafficking in human beings in domestic work in Belgium : tackling severe exploitation in hidden spaces

Abstract

Hardly any policy initiatives in Belgium specifically tackle demand-side aspects in labour exploitation and Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) in the domestic work sector. Although the service voucher policy and safeguard protection measures in domestic work for diplomatic households have positive effects, undocumented domestic workers in the shadow market and even regular temporary migrants are still largely unprotected. Vulnerability results mainly from precarious migration status: changing migration and employment policies in domestic work are therefore key to combatting this hidden and persistent form of labour exploitation.