[STATEMENT] Stop Commodifying Migrants and Migrant Labour!
IMA Statement for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
30th July 2026
We in the International Migrants Alliance reaffirm our commitment to expose and fight against the root cause of trafficking, imperialism. Trafficking remains one of the world's most pervasive human rights violations, and is increasing due to global economic crises and state violence. It flourishes where poverty, armed conflict, forced displacement, labour export policies, and political or criminal impunity are present.
Today's major migration corridors reflect longstanding inequalities. Countries in the Global South have historically been exploited by those in the Global North countries that have accumulated wealth through colonialism, plunder, and unequal economic relations. Structural oppressions force millions to migrate for survival, intensifying the trafficking of workers through labour export programs to profit off remittances. More than 40 countries have institutionalised labour export programs, sending millions of their own workers abroad every year.
Labour export is trafficking, where governments turn their own people into commodified labour power to sell to exploiting countries. Instead of creating livelihoods at home, governments in the South peddle overseas employment as the solution to massive unemployment. They sell millions of their nationals to capitalist countries which have created the conditions and schemes to lure migrants in dire need of jobs and livelihoods.
Trafficking is sustained and aggravated by state programs that prioritise profit over human rights. As long as these structural oppressions persist, traffickers will emerge and continue to exploit migrants and displaced communities. Ending human trafficking requires the advancement of the quality of life in migrant-sending countries to ensure no one is forced to leave for survival. The pursuit of better opportunities must rest strongly on upholding the interests of the people over profit, genuine development for all and justice.
On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we reaffirm our commitment to working alongside migrant and displaced peoples communities and grassroots organisations to fight for a world where migration is a choice rather than a necessity, and where every person's dignity and rights are respected.
No one should disappear. No one should be exploited for profit.
No migrant should be treated as a commodity.
We call for justice, accountability and the protection of the human rights of all migrants everywhere.
