What is the term for the illegal trade of human beings for the purpose of exploitation?

The term for the illegal trade of human beings for the purpose of exploitation is human trafficking. This concept encompasses a range of activities that involve the coercion or deception of individuals to engage in labor or sexual exploitation against their will. Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and is recognized globally as a crime that undermines personal freedoms and dignity.

Human trafficking is distinct from other terms such as labor smuggling, illegal employment, and forced labor. Labor smuggling typically pertains to the illegal transportation of migrant workers for the purpose of employment, but does not necessarily imply exploitation. Illegal employment refers broadly to workers and jobs that are not in compliance with labor laws, without specifically addressing the element of coercion or exploitation inherent in trafficking. Forced labor involves coerced work conditions but is a broader term that can be a result of human trafficking or other exploitative practices rather than the act of trafficking itself. Thus, the correct term that encapsulates the illegal trade of people for exploitation purposes is indeed human trafficking.