Human trafficking: the EU Commission proposes a strategy to strengthen safeguards

Implementing measures to combat human trafficking by drawing on technology, sanctions and positive synergies with businesses. This is the aim of the new strategy set out by the European Commission, which takes drastic action against a phenomenon that has become significantly more entrenched in recent years. It takes many forms: from labour exploitation to sexual exploitation, as well as crime, begging and forced marriages.

“Human trafficking continues to pose a serious challenge in the European Union,” commented Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. “This new framework will help prevent abuse, reduce risks in the digital environment and support effective action against traffickers.”Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, echoed this view: “Traffickers will be held to account for their actions, their networks will be dismantled and victims will be protected. People are not for sale.”

Between 2023 and 2024, the European Union recorded over 20,000 victims, representing an increase of more than 16 per cent (not counting the many cases that went unreported). It is precisely these figures that form the basis of the new strategy, which focuses on six priorities: better use of technology to prevent and track human trafficking and its ramifications; closer collaboration with the business community and labour inspectors; stepping up action against organised crime; targeted management of migration-related risks; more judicious training in preparation for times of crisis; enhanced support and protection for those at risk and, even more so, for victims. These two groups, according to the figures, continue to be the primary targets of traffickers: to date, women and girls have accounted for around 63 per cent of recorded victims, particularly in cases of sexual exploitation; children accounted for 15 per cent, whilst, in terms of labour exploitation, men were the most affected group (74 per cent). These are trends that the European Commission is seeking to address through a package of structural measures. Let’s try to understand what this involves.

Technology is being deployed to enhance prevention, traffic detection and investigation activities. This is achieved through a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, by utilising existing tools, such as the Digital Services Act and the European Internet Forum; on the other hand, through initiatives currently under development or due to come into force shortly, such as the EU action plan against digital fraud. But that’s not all: through the multidisciplinary platform to combat criminal threats (EMPACT), the EU will support innovative approaches to digital investigations, including hackathons.

In order to engage with the private sector with a view to reducing the risks of exploitation and speeding up the early identification of those who run trafficking networks, the strategy provides for the establishment of a European business coalition. It also provides for support for Member States, through the European Labour Authority, in cooperation with labour inspectors.