Why might economic instability increase the risk of labor trafficking?

Economic instability significantly increases the risk of labor trafficking primarily because it can create a desperate environment where individuals feel compelled to seek work at any cost. During times of economic hardship, jobs become scarce, and many people may face unemployment or underemployment. This desperation can make individuals more vulnerable to traffickers who exploit their need for income, often promising legitimate jobs that turn out to be exploitative or abusive.

In these situations, people may accept unsafe working conditions, low pay, or even illegal employment arrangements because they feel they have no other viable options. Traffickers prey on this vulnerability by offering false hope for better economic opportunities, knowing that those in dire circumstances are less likely to ask questions or report abuses out of fear of losing their only source of income. Thus, economic instability not only increases the likelihood that individuals will encounter trafficking situations but also makes it harder for them to seek help or escape these predicaments once trapped.