The study aims to explore the interplay between climate change and migration and human trafficking in impacting the unskilled workforce residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The research utilizes the mixed-methods paradigm with the inclusion of quantitative survey analysis and qualitative interview data in order to identify the impact of climatic environmental shocks due to floods and droughts on the unskilled labor force and their exploitation. The study shows that the unskilled migrant workers without any safety nets and employment opportunities would be more prone to risks of trafficking and debt bondage and forced labor. The theoretical approaches include Systems Theory and Livelihoods Vulnerability Frameworks in analyzing the legal, institutional and economic structures increasing vulnerability to exploitation across the society. It identifies the creation of exploitative environment through informal labor market mechanisms, gender discrimination and unregulated migration pathways, namely “Dunki” routes. Policy implications include prioritization of three key strategies, such as formulation of climate migration framework, enhanced regulation of labor markets and protection for migrants and refugees. The research contributes to vital information enabling Pakistan and other areas threatened by climate change to address the problem of climate-induced migration and human trafficking.
The study aims to explore the interplay between climate change and migration and human trafficking in impacting the unskilled workforce residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The research utilizes the mixed-methods paradigm with the inclusion of quantitative survey analysis and qualitative interview data in order to identify the impact of climatic environmental shocks due to floods and droughts on the unskilled labor force and their exploitation. The study shows that the unskilled migrant workers without any safety nets and employment opportunities would be more prone to risks of trafficking and debt bondage and forced labor. The theoretical approaches include Systems Theory and Livelihoods Vulnerability Frameworks in analyzing the legal, institutional and economic structures increasing vulnerability to exploitation across the society. It identifies the creation of exploitative environment through informal labor market mechanisms, gender discrimination and unregulated migration pathways, namely “Dunki” routes. Policy implications include prioritization of three key strategies, such as formulation of climate migration framework, enhanced regulation of labor markets and protection for migrants and refugees. The research contributes to vital information enabling Pakistan and other areas threatened by climate change to address the problem of climate-induced migration and human trafficking.
