Tuesday 25th June 2023
Yesterday (24th June) the US Department of State released its 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Ireland has been placed on Tier 2, the same as in 2023.
While some limited progress has been made Ireland continues to be in the category of countries whose governments do not fully meet the TVPA’s (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) minimum standards.
Edel McGinley, Director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) said, ‘While we welcome Ireland’s first prosecutions for labour trafficking being initiated, progress on human trafficking in the State is far too slow. We continue to wait for new anti-trafficking legislation to be completed. Victim identification remains extremely low. Convictions and prosecutions are also extremely low.’
She continued, ‘There is no reason why Ireland should not be on Tier 1. We now need an effective National Referral Mechanism (NRM) urgently and need to see the proposed legislation passed as soon as possible’.
She concluded, ‘Finally, we strongly welcome the TIP report’s recommendations to enforce laws prohibiting recruiters from charging fees to migrant workers and to hold fraudulent labour recruiters criminally accountable. MRCI are seeing more and more cases where people have paid extremely large sums to secure employment in Ireland. These fees can lead to people being trapped in debt bondage situations, making it extremely difficult for them to leave exploitive situations and seek supports.’
The MRCI has been working with people in situations of trafficking for labour exploitation for almost two decades and is a National Assessment Centre. To date, it has assisted over 290 people where labour trafficking was suspected, in sectors such as domestic work, agriculture, circus, car washes, and restaurants.
* CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SEXUAL OFFENCES AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING) BILL 2022
