Labour exploitation of Bulgarian migrants in Europe: coping mechanisms

Abstract

_{Labour exploitation and its extreme forms, such as forced labour and trafficking of human beings, are not new phenomena. They are also present throughout Central and Eastern Europe and Bulgaria in particular. This article explores the mechanisms used by workers to overcome these challenges on the labour market. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with low-skilled Bulgarian migrants in EU countries. Strong social networks used during the first migration action are considered as a mechanism which mitigates the risks of exploitation.}