The European Union registered nearly 10,000 human trafficking victims in 2024
Polish police and analysts warn citizens about growing risks of labor exploitation when searching for jobs abroad. According to European statistics, a significant portion of identified human trafficking victims in European Union countries suffered specifically from forced labor. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Василина Копитко) citing Gremi Personal, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In 2025, law enforcement agencies in Poland identified 194 victims of human trafficking and opened 78 related proceedings. The Polish government acknowledges this problem as a major challenge amid the demand for labor in agriculture, construction, and seasonal work.
Scale of the problem in Europe
According to Eurostat data released in 2026, 9,678 victims of human trafficking were registered across the European Union in 2024. Among those for whom the form of exploitation was determined, 3,391 people, or 37 percent, became victims of human trafficking for the purpose of forced labor.
Statistics show a steady upward trend in the share of such cases within the overall structure. While in 2008-2018 this figure stood at 14-21 percent, since 2019 it has consistently exceeded 28 percent and reaches 41 percent.
Recruitment methods and control
Experts note that modern traffickers do not necessarily rely on obvious kidnapping or physical confinement, often starting with ordinary job postings in social media. Potential workers are offered attractive salaries and help with relocation, but conditions can change dramatically upon arrival.
Among the control tools used are passport confiscation, threats, non-payment of wages, restriction of movement, and the imposition of artificial debt. Police emphasize that verifying agencies and working conditions prior to departure is a fundamental way to reduce exploitation risks.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
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