The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) uncovered two cases of human trafficking during a large-scale operation in June, ERR News reports.
Margo Kivila, head of the PPA’s Organized Crime Unit, told radio station Vikerhommik that in neither of cases forced labor nor sexual exploitation was found. However, new charges may be brought.
Kivila noted that there are two types of human trafficking in Estonia. One is forced labor, when vulnerable people are forced to work in conditions that do not comply with Estonian law. The other type is forced prostitution.
Most people encounter the first type, most often in the catering and service sectors, and in construction. In these cases, people usually work in positions where they do not directly interact with customers or other strangers. However, human trafficking is also observed in forestry and agriculture, and in other areas where payment in cash is customary.
Victims of human trafficking in Estonia usually come from Ukraine, Moldova and Central Asian countries,
and sometimes from Romania. Those involved in prostitution often come from Latin America.
The definition of human trafficking includes the restriction of a person’s freedom of action and movement. Although most often people are not physically bound, as was the case during slavery, freedom is restricted by psychological, economic and legal means, explained Kivila.
Often, victims do not understand how European society, including Estonia, functions, and are afraid of local authorities, such as the PPA. Also, fear of deportation to their country of origin prevents them from seeking help. Kivila noted that this is often enough to prevent people from seeking help.
In June, Estonia launched the “You Have Rights!” initiative to raise awareness among foreign workers about their rights and encourage them to seek help if needed. Authorities are increasingly receiving reports of the exploitation of third-country nationals.
Read also: Alleged Estonian human trafficker detained on Lithuanian-Polish border