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Articles 1 (paragraph 1), 2 (paragraph 1), and 25, of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee takes note of the comprehensive information supplied by the Government on measures taken to combat trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. It has also noted a communication dated 29 August 2008, whereby the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) submitted comments concerning human trafficking, in connection with the application of the Convention by the United Kingdom. In that communication, the ITUC expressed the view that, despite many positive initiatives undertaken by the Government, there were still some important gaps in its counter-trafficking policy which needed to be addressed. Thus, the ITUC considered that the Government urgently needed to carry out detailed research into trafficking for labour exploitation in the United Kingdom. In addition, the ITUC expressed the view that the identification, referral, protection and support measures were still inadequate, particularly as regards trafficking for labour exploitation. The ITUC also expressed concern about the situation of migrant domestic workers, in connection with the proposed amendments to current immigration rules.

The Committee notes with interest that the United Kingdom has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings and has set up a multi-agency Home Office-led task force to monitor its implementation. It also notes that section 31 of the new Borders Act 2007 has amended existing provisions regarding trafficking for exploitation offences to extend their coverage.

The Committee notes with interest the information on the implementation of the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking (which sets out the Government’s strategy in the key areas, such as prevention, protection of victims, investigation, law enforcement and prosecution), including the information on the activities of the UK Human Trafficking Centre, which performs coordinating functions and has responsibility for a number of important actions set out in the Plan. In particular, it notes the establishment in 2009 of a National Referral Mechanism, which provides improved procedures for early identification, referral and support by local agencies and should also yield better data on victims.

As regards measures to combat labour trafficking, the Government indicates that a multi-agency pilot project on trafficking for forced labour was led between May and September 2008 to improve knowledge of this less well-known type of trafficking and to test victim identification and support arrangements. In November 2008, a multi-agency “Operation Ruby” was launched to target labour trafficking; it led to a number of arrests and over 60 potential victims were screened as part of a victim identification process.

As regards law enforcement and prosecution, the Committee notes that the UK Human Trafficking Centre provides a central point for the development of law enforcement expertise in relation to all forms of trafficking and plays a key role in a strategic partnership and collaborative working between all UK law enforcement agencies. It also notes the Government’s indication that, up to February 2009, there have been 100 convictions for trafficking and three for conspiracy to trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and five convictions for labour trafficking. The Committee further notes statistical information on the results of “Operation Pentameter 2” (the largest ever police-led enforcement campaign to combat trafficking for sexual exploitation), which were announced in July 2008; according to this information, 167 victims were recovered and 528 arrests were made in the course of the operation.

While noting this information with interest, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide further information on the legislative developments with a view to strengthening measures to combat trafficking, such as, for example, the proposed measures in the Border, Citizenship and Immigration Bill and Crime Bills, that are currently before Parliament, according to the Government’s report. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the practical working of the National Referral Mechanism, in relation both to labour trafficking and trafficking for sexual exploitation, as well as, more generally, on any action taken with a view to increasing efficiency of victim identification and victim protection measures, referring also to the relevant points raised in the abovementioned communication by the ITUC. Please also continue to provide information on the law enforcement measures, particularly as regards the efficiency of prosecution and punishment of the offenders.