Campaign for the Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation "Where Are You Headed?".
The Local Commission for Combating Human Trafficking and the Prevention Directorate - Varna Municipality, together with the National Commission for Combating Human Trafficking, launched the annual campaign for the prevention of human trafficking for labour exploitation “Where are you headed?”.
It will take place between 11 April and 31 May 2022. An important focus of this year's campaign is the real increase in the risk of being involved in trafficking for labour exploitation, as a result of the rising wave of refugees, Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war, and unemployment in the country, creating conditions for accepting dubious job offers at home and abroad.
Often companies or specific individuals, especially in smaller settlements, are looking for workers and promising them incredible conditions for seasonal or temporary work. Often they manage to convince them that there are no risks and everything is 'settled'.
The main objective of the campaign is prevention, in order to inform Bulgarian citizens and citizens of Ukraine who wish to enter the labour market in the country or in other EU Member States about the problems related to trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation. There is a need to raise awareness of the mechanisms used in trafficking for labour exploitation, as well as to draw attention to the specific signs to identify victims of trafficking for labour exploitation.
Our partners in the campaign are the Directorate of the Labour Office - Varna, Border Police - Varna Airport and 10 Varna schools with established School Prevention Clubs (SPC).
Information meetings will be organised with volunteers working in refugee support centres to identify potential victims of trafficking at the first level. Flyers printed in Ukrainian language will be made available at the assistance points and in the hotels where Ukrainian citizens are accommodated.
We will provide posters and materials to the campaign partners to inform the Bulgarian citizens about the risks related to human trafficking for labour exploitation. During the campaign, volunteers from the SPC will conduct information sessions among peers. On social media, through a video, volunteers will send messages about the dangers of being trafficked for labour exploitation.