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The difference between human trafficking and human smuggling

Human smuggling is about crossing national borders and violating a country's laws, human trafficking on the other hand is about the subsequent exploitation, which is usually done in the destination country.

Person 1: Igor Igor wants to leave his home country in Eastern Europe to make money in another country. He is unemployed in his home country. He contacts an acquaintance who can bring him to Austria without any valid documents. This trip to Austria costs Igor 5,000 Euros. Hidden in trucks and cars, he manages to illegally enter Austria with the help of smugglers. After his arrival in Austria, he cuts off the contact with the smugglers. Igor wants to leave his home country in Eastern Europe to make money in another country. He is unemployed in his home country. He contacts an acquaintance who can bring him to Austria without any valid documents. This trip to Austria costs Igor 5,000 Euros. Hidden in trucks and cars, he manages to illegally enter Austria with the help of smugglers. After his arrival in Austria, he cuts off the contact with the smugglers.
Person 2: Nikola In his home country, Nikola receives a job offer to work at a construction site in Austria. His acquaintance promises him a good pay. Nikola accepts this doubtful agreement. After the illegal entry into Austria, the employer takes his passport away from him. He is not allowed to move around freely anymore. He has to work under inhumane conditions: he lives with other workers in a narrow shipping container. He hardly gets anything to eat or drink. He is constantly under surveillance. He receives almost no pay for his work. In his home country, Nikola receives a job offer to work at a construction site in Austria. His acquaintance promises him a good pay. Nikola accepts this doubtful agreement. After the illegal entry into Austria, the employer takes his passport away from him. He is not allowed to move around freely anymore. He has to work under inhumane conditions: he lives with other workers in a narrow shipping container. He hardly gets anything to eat or drink. He is constantly under surveillance. He receives almost no pay for his work.
Nikola has been brought to Austria to be exploited here. Nikola is a victim of human trafficking. Igor, on the other hand, has been brought to Austria by human smuggling. Nikola has been brought to Austria to be exploited here. Nikola is a victim of human trafficking. Igor, on the other hand, has been brought to Austria by human smuggling.

What is an illegal entry?

Victims of human trafficking can enter the country legally or illegally. For example, a legal entry occurs when victims come from an EU country, or enter the country with a tourist visa. An illegal entry occurs when the victims are brought across the country borders with fake papers or in a truck container.