UNODC and Partners Join Efforts To Introduce Innovative Approaches To Countering Trafficking In Persons In Private Sector of Turkmenistan

Most companies are becoming more accommodating to the growing global demand for low-cost goods and even cheaper services. And as we well know, demand creates supply. All this, in the end, can lead to situations related to exploitation.

To exchange opinions and find best solution for the private sector engagement into the fight against human trafficking, the UNODC together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Migration in Central Asia programme in Turkmenistan conducted a workshop on “Best practices on prevention of trafficking in persons in private sector and supply chains and importance of compliance with social, corporate and labor standards in private sector and its impact on export”.

Over 29 representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, the Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan, “Turkmenstandartlary” Main State Service, as well as representatives of private companies in the field of consultancy, agriculture and construction discussed the implementation of the policies on TIP prevention, labour norms and human rights. Participants learned international and regional experience and practices, and shared examples of successful and innovative approaches to prevent labor violations regionally and globally.

Dr. Reda Sirgediene, UNODC Regional Adviser for Central Asia on Countering Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, familiarized the participants with the promising practices of public-private partnerships to prevent and counter Trafficking in Persons.

Ms. Saara Haapasaari, an international Corporate and Social Responsibility expert, presented the Due Diligence Manual for Companies developed by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI) in Helsinki, Finland, the Center for the Study of Democracy from Bulgaria, the University of Tartu from Estonia and the Ministry of the Interior of Latvia.

The representative of the Office of the Ombudsman of Turkmenistan presented the Norms of national labor legislation and the importance of their observance to prevent the situations of forced labor and TIP.

The workshop participants came into conclusion that the private sector plays a key role in combating trafficking in persons, along with government and public organizations. They agreed that a holistic, coordinated and multilateral effort that encompasses all regions and industries is required to fight this crime.

As the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its complementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, UNODC supports the Government of Turkmenistan in strengthening its efforts to combat trafficking in persons.

The workshop was a part of the joint initiative of UNODC and USAID “Safe Migration in Central Asia” programme  aimed at improvement of existing legislation in the field of combating trafficking in persons and finalization of the Standard Operating Procedures for relevant departments and organizations to effectively operate the Referral Mechanism in Turkmenistan.