Summary
Many people enter rich countries on temporary work visas seeking better jobs, but some end up trapped in abusive work situations. Legal migrants can face forced labor, withheld wages, and loss of freedom because visa rules tie them to one employer, making it hard to leave bad conditions.
Key Facts
- Hundreds of thousands of people enter wealthy countries yearly on temporary work visas.
- Some migrants experience forced labor, no pay, and long working hours.
- Migrants often have their passports taken away and cannot leave their workplace.
- Many temporary visa programs require workers to stay with one employer to keep their visa.
- Workers may face threats, intimidation, or deportation warnings if they complain.
- In the U.S., the H-2A visa program for seasonal farm workers has documented abuses like wage theft and unsafe housing.
- Almost half of reported labor trafficking victims in the U.S. on temporary visas were legally present in the country.
- Similar exploitation happens in Europe, the Gulf, and other regions that use many temporary migrant workers.
