Report on Labor Trafficking Services Grant Program

Labor trafficking occurs when one person manipulates or controls another to provide labor. 

Labor exploitation occurs when workers are subjected to unfair labor practices and can include refusing pay or being underpaid for labor, child labor, or wage theft. 

Labor trafficking and exploitation are public health issues. Victims and survivors suffer short- and long-term health effects from working in unsafe conditions and workers may be deprived of wages and cannot support their basic needs. 

There is growing national recognition that a more holistic response to human trafficking is necessary; an approach addresses sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and labor exploitation. 

During the 2023 Minnesota state legislative session, funding for services was appropriated in response to advocacy by survivor subject matter experts, victim services coalitions, labor unions, and human rights organizations. At the same time, the legislature updated the labor trafficking criminal statute (Minn. Stat. § 609.282). These events, along with new wage theft laws passed in recent years, place Minnesota in a stronger position to address labor trafficking and exploitation. 

MDH received $500,000 per year as base funding to be used for grants to organizations providing services to victims of labor trafficking and exploitation including case management, supportive services, shelter, housing, and other needs. Six organizations received funding for FY24 to FY26. 

This Report on Labor Trafficking Services Grant Program (PDF) provides information on the grant recipients, their service areas, project descriptions and amounts awarded.