By Bruce Barron, Evangelical Focus.
From the sex trade in Thailand and people kidnapped into cyber-scamming in Myanmar to forced labor in tourist centers, human trafficking is one of the world’s most widespread injustices.
Mitch Hamilton, a research consultant on diaspora and migration issues, thought something was odd.
Hamilton was attending a Christian conference at a European resort hotel that frequently hosts such events. Surprised by the number of Africans among the hotel staff, he did some quiet research and ascertained that their work conditions were less than ideal.
In fact, they were in bondage to the agency that had recruited them. The Africans had been enticed by offers of good pay and a good life. But once they arrived in Europe, the recruiting agency confiscated their passport and imposed various fees that ate up much of the Africans’ income.
The hotel was not directly involved in the exploitation but likely had some awareness of the Africans’ plight, since it knew they were working long hours with few days off.
Hamilton saw an opportunity to involve hotel management as part of the solution, especially because a recent news article on forced labor trafficking in the region already had the hotel on the defensive.
“This hotel is doing damage control now because they don’t want to lose their Christian business,” Hamilton said. “They have a chance to redeem themselves and we can support them.”
Hamilton is working with a local pastor to plant a church for the African workers and to enable them to regain control of their lives. I hope to revisit this story with a positive update in the next few months.