Combat trafficking in human beings can be more effective
Organizations that can play a role in the fight against trafficking in human beings for labor exploitation are still too unaware of that role. As a consequence of this, organizations do not pick up signals and share relevant information, study shows.
Trafficking for labor exploitation gets too little attention and many organizations, like municipalities, the tax administration and labor inspection, are unfamiliar with the criminal justice and victim protection. This contributes to an approach of this form of trafficking that is not effective, show research conducted in five European countries by Tilburg University jurist Connie Rijken,
Apart from police and prosecution authorities and organizations such as labor inspection, trade unions and the municipality, also Europol and Eurojust are involved in the fight against trafficking for labor exploitation. But their role is not always clear”, says Rijken.
“One example is the case of asparagus farmer José J. from Someren. It took a long time before the labor inspections shared relevant information with the Dutch Social Intelligence and Investigation Service (SIOD) and the Dutch Public Prosecution (OM). It is also not effective that victims of abuse are seen as illegal immigrants – and expelled – rather than victims of a crime. And that makes the evidence of abuse disappear.”
Rijken led an international research project on trafficking for labor exploitation, and the fight against it, in five European countries: Netherlands, Roemeni?, Serbia and Spain. [MW/transl. YV]
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