REPUDIATION OF LABOR TRAFFICKING

WHEREAS, labor trafficking involves exploitation of human labor through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery for profit or service; and

WHEREAS, victims of labor trafficking endure brutal conditions that result in physical, sexual and psychological trauma while performing services that often result in critical physical and psychological problems, presenting a dire public health problem; and

WHEREAS, operations supported by trafficked labor violate labor, employment and immigration laws and present unfair competition to employers that follow the law; and

WHEREAS, unsafe and illegal practices of labor brokers designed to preserve a low-cost, compliant workforce undermine the work of labor organizations to improve workplace standards; and

WHEREAS, any portion of our economy built on profits and revenues derived from labor trafficking violates federal and state laws and is a gross violation of human rights:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers repudiates illegal labor trafficking in any form; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will publicly support promotion and outreach measures aimed at education about labor trafficking and its impact on workers and their communities; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support advocacy to end the criminal and abusive practices endured by trafficked workers.