Which of the following is a Documents red flag indicator?

• A. An employee is living in unsanitary conditions
• B. An employee is not paid for work
• C. Identification documents confiscated
• D. An employee is coached on what to say to law-enforcement or other officials

Answer: (C)

Confiscation of identification documents signals direct coercion and control over a worker’s identity and mobility, which is a hallmark of trafficking. When an employer or supervisor takes away passports, visas, or ID cards, the worker loses the ability to leave, seek help, or report abuses, creating a power dynamic that traffickers rely on to exploit labor. This clear assertion of control over personal documents is why it stands out as a red flag for trafficking in labor supply chains.

While unsanitary living conditions and not being paid are serious violations and can indicate exploitation, they do not by themselves demonstrate the coercive control over a worker’s identity that trafficking schemes center on. Being coached on what to say to law enforcement suggests manipulation and potential obstruction, which is concerning, but the most direct signal of trafficking in this context is the removal or withholding of identification documents. If you observe this, escalate promptly according to your organization's procedures and involve the appropriate authorities.