Description
This project aims at preventing trafficking in human beings and social reintegration of its victims, which are mostly women subjected to forced labour and sexual exploitation. No project has ever been carried out in Portugal specifically targeting trafficking in human beings in the tourism sector, on which this phenomenon has a particular impact. The project will bring to Portugal the best international practices regarding the tourism sector, and will seek to mobilize the private sector for this important human rights issue, fostering cooperation between business and civil society. Managers and employees in tourism sector companies will be sensitized and trained for detection and prevention, and an awareness campaign will be carried out. The project will also create an identification and protection system for victims; and include a diagnosis component and research on the phenomenon in Portugal.
Summary of project results
Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a serious global problem and should be combated in a concerted effort among the three sectors. However, while the public sector has adopted action plans and strategies to fight THB and the third sector focuses on victim support services, entrepreneurs and small businesses are little concerned and mobilized in fighting against trafficking. Only companies can ensure that their product chains do not accept victims of trafficking, conduct rigorous recruitment processes, and are also crucial in the social reintegration of the victim, since they may be a source of employability. The victims are mostly young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and women. They are present in the tourism sector, particularly in hotels and restaurants. The project was able to train 444 hotel staff, under 20 training actions (in 20 hotel chains and tourism schools) that took place in the Portuguese mainland and in Madeira. A manual on good practices and another on prevention of THB in the tourist sector have been produced and an awareness raising campaign against THB was widely implemented in hotels with the support of flyers and panels. The number of training actions has clearly surpassed the initial target. The NGO staff has improved their skills and knowledge on the subject. The WTO has reported interest in disseminating internationally the outputs of the project, namely the manuals.
Summary of bilateral results