GAATW Statement at Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Global Plan of Action
Oral statement by the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) for Panel 1 of the UN Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Trafficking in Persons, “The Global Plan of Action and enduring trafficking issues and gaps”, 13 July 2021
Delivered by: María Emilia Cebrián
Madam Vice-President, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The present statement addresses the following guiding questions, as per suggested in the concept note for the Multi-stakeholder Hearing on Trafficking in Persons:
- How should understanding the root causes of trafficking in persons inform coordinated efforts to respond?
- How can we provide greater international protection and support for survivors of trafficking in persons?
The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) welcomes the recognition by States Parties of human trafficking as a serious crime and a human rights violation, and for their commitment to addressing trafficking through the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. In the past two decades, almost every country in the world has introduced legal mechanisms and practical measures to address human trafficking. Yet, we are very far from ending trafficking and exploitation. Therefore, it is imperative for us all now to reflect on the challenges in this work and broaden the scope of anti-trafficking measures.
GAATW’s research, carried out in conjunction with our members and partners in countries of origin and destination, shows that precarity and exploitation are the common threads that bind low wage workers around the world today. Despite the existence of anti-trafficking laws, millions of workers enter into exploitative arrangements and endure them because they have no better options. Therefore, we urge states to shift focus to the root causes of human trafficking, and to see it as a result of wider structural socioeconomic issues related to gender, migration, labour, development and economic policies.
GAATW is deeply concerned about some measures taken in the name of anti-trafficking. These include stricter border controls, tighter visa regimes, policing and surveillance of low-income and migrant communities, raids on sex work establishments, detention and deportation of suspected victims, arrests and prosecutions of low-level offenders and impunity for politically well-connected offenders. Such measures must stop.
Research, including that conducted by the UNODC, shows that the pandemic has exacerbated human trafficking. This should not surprise us because job loss, wage theft and insecurity with regard to future employment have increased multi-fold. We urge states to broaden their trafficking prevention initiatives to include affirmative action steps and protect the rights of low wage workers in their territories, regardless of their migration status. Further, anti-trafficking measures must be complemented by protection of labour rights and civil and political rights.
To prevent and combat human trafficking, states must adhere to the international human rights and labour framework, including the Sustainable Development Goals, and:
- Ensure access to justice and long term support to survivors of trafficking and exploited workers, regardless of their immigration status
- Ensure access to public services and social protections for all
- End gender-based violence and discrimination at work and in homes and ensure women’s full and equal participation in public and political life
- Ensure decent work for all, incluing a living wage and freedom of association
- Reduce income inequality within and between countries
- Enable and encourage low-wage migrant workers to unionise form collectives and join trade unions
- Ensure access to education and skills in order to enable decent employment at home or abroad
- Prevent, mitigate and manage the impact of climate change that aggravates distress migration
- Ratify Conventions 189 and 190 of the International Labour Organisation and take all necessary steps to implement them
The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women is an international network of more than 80 NGOs from all regions of the world that advocates for the rights of migrants and trafficked persons. Our members engage in direct assistance to migrants and trafficked persons, as well as campaigns and advocacy at the national and regional level. Our office is the International Secretariat of the Alliance, based in Bangkok, Thailand, and we support our members with research, knowledge sharing, and international advocacy.