How can trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation be prevented and combated? To address this challenge, a seminar organised by the Council of Europe's Anti-Trafficking Division on 13 June 2023 in Warsaw, Poland, brought together representatives of governmental institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, international organisations and diplomatic missions.

In the light of the new Recommendation on preventing and combating human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation adopted in September 2022 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, participants discussed measures in the field of prevention, identification and protection of victims, criminal justice response, partnerships and the role of businesses. They also exchanged on the preparation of a checklist for examining compliance with the recommendation.

In addition, the seminar provided an opportunity to present the conclusions of the latest report on Poland’s implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Recently published by GRETA, this report highlights the increase in trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, which has emerged as the main form of exploitation of the victims identified by the Border Guard and the National Prosecutor’s Office.

In an opening statement at the seminar, Ms Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Migration and Refugees, presented the report on her fact-finding mission to Poland in June 2022.