OSCE Special Representative meets Romanian authorities to further co-operation on combating human trafficking

The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, on a visit to Bucharest on 28 February 2012, met with high-level authorities, including the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Alina Bica, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Administration and Interior, Joan Dascalu.

During the consultations, Giammarinaro explored areas for future collaboration that could take advantage of Romania’s experience in combating trafficking in human beings. This includes the country’s operational experience with international co-operation, such as its successful participation in joint investigation teams and its network of liaison officers. She was also informed about the work of the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons, a specialized structure responsible for co-ordinating anti-trafficking action.

Giammarinaro stressed the importance of addressing trafficking for labour exploitation, which is growing especially in sectors such as agriculture, construction, tourism and domestic work.

Victims of trafficking for labour exploitation are particularly difficult to identify and to protect, she emphasized: “Victims may not be able to recognize the gravity of exploitation they experienced, since they often made a decision along the way to accept abusive treatment in exchange for the possibility and hope of a better life.”

The Special Representative encouraged the authorities to further capacity building to proactively identify cases of labour exploitation, and to increase monitoring of recruitment agencies and labour intermediaries to lower the vulnerability of migrant workers to trafficking. In her meeting with the Director General of the Foreign Ministry’ consular affairs department, Giammarinaro welcomed the interest in her office’s participation in training for consular staff on recognizing and addressing trafficking for labour exploitation.

Giammarinaro also gave the keynote address at the inaugural meeting of a joint project between the OSCE and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development on capacity building for combating trafficking for labour exploitation. The project will deliver training for public officials likely to come into contact with victims, including labour inspectors, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges.