Behind attractive job offers there often hides dishonest and even criminal intent. This is why the ombudsman urges residents to be vigilant when picking jobs, because human trafficking remains a serious problem worldwide.
According to Latvian Ombudsman’s Office, in 2021 there were 61 cases of human trafficking recorded in the country. 53 of them involved labour exploitation. 49 men and four women were victims. Seven women were subjected to sexual exploitation and one – to forced fictive marriage.
Experience shows that human trafficking exists regardless of Covid-19 pandemic, hot summer or a crisis. Job ads inviting people to work in construction companies, catering sector and seasonal jobs (berry picking, gardening, etc.) appear more and more often.
«Labour force exploitation is often the result of sudden and very generous job offers, which, in reality have nothing to offer. Their only goal is exploiting other people as slaves and making profits from it,» says Latvian ombudsman Juris Jansons.
The ombudsmal invites job seekers to carefully evaluated job offers and their contents. Before agreeing to take a job, it is advised to check the validity of the potential employer’s provided information – legal status, address and contact information.
When entering employee/employer relations it is important to have a job contract that details the amount of work, hours, pay and work conditions. Because there are people who travel abroad in search of well-paid jobs, the ombudsman invites people to not give in to pressure and not provide personal IDs to the employer for safe-keeping. By doing this, people risk losing their freedom.
«In situations when people are subjected to forced labour, physical or moral suffering, have their ID taken away, have their job options artificially limited, work environment being unsanitary, they should immediately report to State Police and social services. In situations involving human trafficking these are Safe House asylum and MARTA Centre. If the situation occurred abroad, report to the local police, seek consular help or Latvia’s embassy if there is one!» adds the ombudsman.