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A campaign for the prevention of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labor exploitation started in Plovdiv

The Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - Plovdiv, together with the Bulgarian Red Cross - Plovdiv and with the support of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings has launched the annual campaign for the prevention of human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation.

In the early spring and summer, much of the unemployed and the long-term unemployed are beginning to actively seek employment and the likelihood of falling into the traps of traffickers is increasing, which is why awareness of the problem is particularly important.

In this regard, it is envisaged that the organizers of the campaign will be involved in several events, held with the support of EURES (a Cooperation Network set up to support the free movement of workers across 28 EU countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), to the Employment Agency through the Labor Office Directorate - Maritza and the Labor Office Directorate - Plovdiv, which will hold informational meetings with unemployed persons and labor exchanges. During the said events, the topic of human trafficking will be provided; the risks of finding a job at home and abroad; how to distinguish a fake from a real job ad; mechanisms for involvement as well as ways of preventing labor exploitation, and last but not least, a focus will be put on the Internet and its role as a tool for recruiting victims of the crime.

Among the planned activities is a participation in forums, which will be attended by leading Bulgarian and international companies offering free internships and job positions - "National Career Days - Good Career, Good Life!" from "JobTiger" and "Internships", organized by the branch of the Technical University in Plovdiv.

The campaign will also cover students, both in school and at university, with whom the issue of safe labor migration will be discussed; also, preventative information materials will be disseminated at higher education institutions such as: Agricultural University, Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, Technical University - Sofia, Plovdiv Branch, University of Food Technology and University of Agribusiness and Rural Development – Plovdiv and in the branches of the Labor Office Directorate “Maritza” - Plovdiv in the towns of Hisarya, Saedinenie, Krichim and Stamboliyski, and Kaloyanovo village.  

 

BEFORE YOU DEPART, WE ADVISE YOU TO:

  1. Take a good look at the agency, company, employer or people you go to. Consult the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the Employment Agency, the General Labor Inspectorate Executive Agency and the Bureau of Labor for Safe Travel and Work Abroad. A list of licensed labor intermediaries is available on the website of the Employment Agency https://www.az.government.bg/intermediaries/;
  2. Do not trust suspicious advertisements with promises of high pay for low-skilled work abroad, especially those who are stuck on the streets and have only a mobile phone;
  3. Do not give your ID to anyone under any pretext;
  4. To get started, you must sign a contract in Bulgarian (or a language you understand) and the official language of the employer's country;
  5. Take with you the address and telephone number of the Bulgarian representative office in the country for which you will travel. If you are in a risk situation and are in trouble, contact them immediately or the police there - you are a victim of a serious crime and will be assisted;
  6. Please inform yourself in advance about the legislation, residence and work regime for Bulgarian citizens in the country of departure. You can get more information on labor migration from the MLSP's Labor and Social Affairs Services to the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European countries with the largest Bulgarian communities: http://www.mlsp.government.bg/index.php?section=POLICIESI&I=266

 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

Unitary European Emergency Number - 112 (completely free of charge, no roaming, dialed without a code)

National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - tel. + 359 2 807 80 50; e-mail: office@antitraffic.government.bg

Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Sliven - tel. + 359 44 611 336; e-mail: sliven@antitraffic.government.bg

National anti-trafficking hotline maintained by Campaign A21 Foundation - 0800 20 100

"General Labor Inspectorate" EA:

- Hotline - 0700 17 670

- Telephone for alerts of Bulgarian citizens working abroad - (00359) 2 8101 747

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB) - http://www.knsb-bg.org/; Labor Law Office: 02/40 10 427

For victims of violence: Animus Association Foundation - tel. + 359 2 981 76 86