Labour Exploitation of Migrant Workers: Reflection on the Empirical Research of Lithuanian Migrants

Abstract

Based on empirical sociological research of Lithuanian migrant workers, this article analyses the problem of labour exploitation of Lithuanian nationals working in other countries of the European Union (EU). The article investigates the legal regulations of labour exploitation, forced labour, and trafficking for forced labour. It looks at the extent of labour exploitation of Lithuanian nationals abroad, and analyses actual negative experiences of labour exploitation. The article argues that migration is a key factor contributing to labour exploitation. In this article, labour exploitation is understood as a continuum ranging from less severe to more severe forms of exploitation. According to the data of the research, the common practices of labour exploitation of Lithuanian migrant workers abroad most often include unsevere forms of labour exploitation: incomplete payment of agreed wages; probational work, for which the salary is not paid or is very small; lack of employment contract; lack of overtime pay; etc. The extreme cases of severe exploitation are rare, and include physical and psychological coercion; fraud; depth bondage; restriction of movement; no payment at all; humiliating and unhuman work and living conditions; social isolation; and lack of food and sleep.