The Negative Effects Of Human Trafficking In Russia's Economy

From being forced into prostitution to enduring long rigorous hours of labor, women and children are suffering. Although majority of the people being trafficked are women and children, in recent years men are becoming a popular trend. They’re being used for slave labor in fields like construction, fieldwork and fisheries. These slaves are useful for the economy because they work for practically free. Ever since Russia’s disintegration from the USSR in 1991, the economy has suffered greatly (Buckley). There was a major disruption in supply lines and trade patterns, which significantly impacted employment levels, which was termed “ wild capitalism”(Buckley). With Russia’s economy on a downward spiral, it became impossible for citizens to find jobs and for the lucky ones with jobs to keep them. This caused an increase in poverty, which put parents in a hard position to care for their young- increasing the risk of them selling their own children, especially

Nonetheless, human trafficking has a negative connotation; yet in Russia it’s what fuels their economy. Caused by poverty, economic instability and government corruption, sex trafficking becomes harder to take control over because of its monetary benefits. With a substantial financial gain due to human exploitation, Russia’s economy has improved. With the government making a major profit from human trafficking, a second economy or shadow economy emerged to indulge in some of the profit. This other economy was primarily underground networks conjured up by criminals, mainly the mafia. The mafia made way for human trafficking to become mobile. With mobility vastly available now, the international political economy of sex and male demand for prostitutes has increased. This increase has made these criminal gangs very rich, which is causing corruption amongst border guards, police and state officials