Roundtable discussion topic on "Trafficking for labor exploitation and communities at risk: access to human rights and social support"
On the 22nd of May a roundtable discussion on "Trafficking in human beings for labor exploitation: access to human rights and social support" was held at the "House of Europe". The event was organized by the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the A21 Campaign Foundation within the framework of the joint campaign for the prevention of trafficking in human beings for labor exploitation "Can you see me?"
The event was opened by Mrs. Maria Pavlova, Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Chairperson of the NCCTHB. Mrs. Pavlova shared the current data and trends related to human trafficking and highlighted the need for coordinated and sustained efforts to achieve safe labor migration and access to basic human rights for seasonal workers and labor migrants.
The ensuing discussions, which were attended by representatives of all institutions, international and non-governmental organizations working on the issue, included the factors that make some groups extremely vulnerable to being involved in trafficking and exploitation, access to social support for migrant workers and victims of trafficking, access to rights, including access to legal aid and financial compensation.
Targeted prevention among vulnerable communities, as a result of the joint and continuous efforts of the NCCTHB, the A21 Campaign Foundation, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Bulgarian Family Planning Association (BFPA), the National Network of Health Mediators (NNHM), the Local Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (LCCTHB) is one of the key tools for access to information on safe labor migration.
The specialized services for victims of human trafficking managed by the Foundation "SOS Families at Risk" and Demetra Association guarantee access to specialized support.
On the topic of "Access to protection and support for victims", the focus was on the increasing number of victims of trafficking in the context of the war in Ukraine and the need to ensure a sufficient number of places in accommodation services, the needs of victims of trafficking to be met by multidisciplinary teams, which should include medical specialists and psychologists who should be specially trained to work with this vulnerable group. A representative of the Migration Directorate said that information campaigns are regularly conducted among refugees from third countries on the risk of being involved in a trafficking situation.
Events are planned to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the coordination process between relevant professionals, including lawyers, social workers, and local anti-trafficking coordinators in order to improve access to legal aid and financial compensation for victims of trafficking.
Within the framework of the campaign, various events related to targeted prevention among vulnerable groups and communities at risk in the country are planned. These include the screenings of the film "Ghost Town" and information sessions with Roma communities in the districts of Serdika, Slatina, and Hristo Botev, as well as in the ten cities where Local Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings are functioning. Activities are also planned to inform the general public about the existence of the problem and to identify the risks of being involved in trafficking for labor exploitation and forced labor.