CMNT_TITLE

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Trinidad and Tobago (RATIFICATION: 1963)

Other comments on C029

Direct Request

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The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided in light of the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 338th Session (June 2020).

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee previously noted that section 16 of the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Act prohibits trafficking in persons, and perpetrators are liable upon conviction to a fine of not less than 500,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars and imprisonment of not less than 15 years. The Committee also noted the cases pending before the court, including that of a law enforcement officer committed to stand trial. The Committee notes the Government’s indications in its supplementary information, in response to the Committee’s request, that according to the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU), six were charged for trafficking in persons between January 2013 and August 2019, either for the purpose of labour exploitation (in four cases) or for both the purposes of sexual and labour exploitation (in two cases). The seven victims comprised six nationals of Guyana and one of Bolivia. The Government adds that, to date, four persons have been committed to stand trial. In this regard, the Committee observes that these four individuals were charged in 2013. In addition, the Government indicates that between August 2019 and August 2020, the CTU identified three cases of forced labour, comprising two victims of Chinese nationality and one victim of Indian nationality; the latter case is pending charges. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the pending cases of trafficking in persons (including the convictions and the penalties imposed), as well as the enforcement action undertaken by the CTU, and to indicate any difficulties encountered in the prosecution and conviction of alleged offenders of trafficking in persons. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate whether charges have been filed in the two cases of forced labour involving two victims of Chinese nationality.