The labour market consequences of human smuggling: 'Illegal' employment in London's migrant economy

This article explores the short- and medium-term labour market consequences of human smuggling for migrants at destination within the context of Pakistani migration to London. It questions the pessimistic picture painted in some recent academic and journalistic accounts of the experience of 'illegality', and argues that the context of reception does not necessarily make clear distinctions between so-called 'legal' and 'illegal' migrants. It also questions the wisdom of assuming that trafficking and smuggling go hand-in-hand. Whilst harsh abuse by employers does indeed occur, this by no means structures the totality of the irregular migrant's experience. A more helpful conceptual distinction, it is argued, can be made between 'work' and 'jobs'different types of employment experienced by all migrant workers.