Regional Expert Group Meeting on Countering Labour Exploitation in Trafficking in Persons, including trafficking caused by migration from armed conflicts, in South Eastern Europe

A very good morning everyone and thank you for the kind invitation to join you today.

The Regional Expert Group Meeting starting today, is a part of UNODC efforts in Moldova, and the region, to address trafficking in persons for the purposes of labour exploitation.

It has now been 24 years since the ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (also referred to as the Trafficking Protocol) under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

This protocol was the first international legal instrument to define trafficking in persons and asking for collective support for the victims of trafficking.

The latest UNODC report on its implementation shows that globally, countries are detecting and reporting more victims of trafficking in persons for forced labour, and are prosecuting and convicting more traffickers.

Nonetheless, we still have unacceptably high numbers of victims of trafficking, and low numbers of convictions of perpetrators in all regions, including Southeastern Europe.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UN has consistently called attention to the high risk of trafficking in persons for Ukrainian refugees, the vast majority of whom are women and children, including for the purpose of labour exploitation. 

Responding to the new context, ILO teams in Moldova and Ukraine worked together to immediately shift activities to support relevant government institutions in Moldova to prevent and address trafficking in persons. We need effective prevention and protection systems in transit and destination countries and at all border crossings.

Furthermore, we are seeing shifts in the labour exploitation trends, stemming from economic and social developments taking place in the region, such as changes in migration flows, the development of more high-risk economic sectors, and the increased use of online or digital tools.

In situations with no effective oversight, where labour inspections or law enforcement control are weak and where production is poorly or not at all regulated, abuses are more likely to go undetected and unpunished. As a result, trained labour inspectors have a crucial role to play in identifying trafficking cases. I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for making reform of the National Labour Inspectorate one of the four priories of the ministry.

As the UN, we will continue to advocates for closer international cooperation in this crucial area. UNODC plays an active role in supporting a regional and international approach to this crime, through setting up informal and operational networks of prosecutors and anti-trafficking authorities. 

In addition, the United Nations through UNODC partners with domestic institutions in the implementation of strategic activities, especially in the field of strengthening the capacities of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.

The UNODC will remain committed to continue working together with Moldova and other countries in the region to address labour exploitation and trafficking in persons.