Belgium has taken a series of steps to tackle human trafficking in recent years, but several groups of people – including asylum seekers, irregular migrants, unaccompanied children and women from disadvantaged backgrounds – remain particularly vulnerable, according to Council of Europe experts.
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has today published its latest report on Belgium’s implementation of the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking convention, covering the period between July 2022 and June 2026.
Labour exploitation predominant, and increase in Belgian victims of sexual exploitation
The report notes that Belgium is primarily a country of destination for trafficking victims, whilst also being a country of origin and transit. The number of victims who started receiving assistance from specialised centres was 229 in 2022, 160 in 2023 and 145 in 2024.
The majority of these victims were men trafficked for labour exploitation. At the same time, the number of Belgian victims – mainly female victims of sexual exploitation – has risen in recent years.
Positive steps, but vulnerabilities to human trafficking remain
GRETA notes that the Belgian authorities have taken a number of steps to develop the legal and policy framework for tackling human trafficking. This includes the expansion of the forms of exploitation that are included in the criminalisation of human trafficking and the preparation of a new national action plan to combat human trafficking.
However, GRETA expresses concern about the vulnerability of asylum seekers to trafficking and exploitation, due to the lack of appropriate support. It calls on the Belgian authorities to ensure access to decent housing and to increase the number of places available under the reception system.
The report notes that the number of cases of labour trafficking has increased, particularly affecting migrant workers in an irregular situation. GRETA therefore asks the authorities to take measures to reduce migrant workers’ dependency on their employers, address the risks of trafficking in supply chains and increase the resources available to labour inspectors.
In addition, GRETA welcomes measures taken by the authorities to combat the growing sexual exploitation of children and young people, whilst underlining that the youth care sector faces a shortage of qualified staff and resources, undermining efforts to tackle such cases effectively.
Further recommendations to tackle human trafficking in Belgium
GRETA also encourages the authorities to conduct a review of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Reform Law, noting that the majority of sex workers are in Belgium irregularly and continue to be at risk of exploitation.
Other recommendations in the report include increasing funding to specialised centres for trafficking victims and ensuring that victims have access to legal aid, compensation and a recovery and reflection period.
GRETA’s report has been published together with the response of the Belgian authorities.
