“Not Just a Number”: Migrant Worker Abuse in 2025

The abuse of migrant workers is getting monitored in a more systematic manner in 2025 and the results are very alarming. A new dataset of 665 documented cases shows that exploitation is not random or exceptional—it follows clear, global patterns. Behind each case there is a human being, not a number: a worker with family, debts and aspirations to improve the future. These 665 documented cases reveal recurring abuses such as wage theft, passport confiscation, dangerous working conditions, and retaliation for speaking up. Collectively, they reveal that gaps in the law, recruiting practices, and poor enforcement of those laws contribute to the abuse of migrant workers in different regions and industries. Learn more about migrant worker protections and fair employment practices on our Migrant Labour Rights page.

What 665 Documented Cases Reveal

The 665 documented cases span multiple continents, industries, and migration routes. But the working conditions of employees are very similar. A lot of them charge high recruitment charges which lead them into debt, false promise agreements and employment which does not match what was promised.

Other trends noted in the data are isolation trends such as workers being housed in employer-controlled accommodation where they have limited mobility and access to independent support. These recurrent factors demonstrate that not only a few bad employers cause the abuse of migrant workers but it is a systemic issue.

Read more: Migrant Workers in Cyprus Face Risk of Abuse, Says Report

Common Forms of Migrant Worker Abuse

Across the 665 documented cases, certain abuses appear again and again. Wage theft—through unpaid overtime, delayed salaries, or underpayment—is one of the most common. Passport confiscation and control of ID documents limit workers’ ability to leave or change employers.

Others include overtime working, no day offs, unsafe work places, and refusal of medical attention following injuries. In the face of any complaint or organization, workers are frequently threatened, fired, or retaliated against because of their immigration status. These trends demonstrate the fact that the lack of power balance causes it to be dangerous that migrant workers are able to demand even fundamental rights.

Why “Not Just a Number” Matters for Policy and Action

It is essential to frame every case as a person and not a number to change policy discussions. The 665 documented cases are evidence that migrant worker abuse is systemic and preventable. They strengthen calls for reforms such as banning recruitment fees, enforcing bans on passport confiscation, decoupling visas from single employers, and guaranteeing access to justice regardless of immigration status.

This evidence can be used by governments, employers, recruitment agencies and international bodies to develop more powerful protection and monitoring systems. To migrant workers, it should be the case that, as a critical aspect of any meaningful response in 2025 and beyond, they should be acknowledged as individuals, not merely as figures.