Police introduced a new human trafficking report system that allows migrant workers to report the crime online. Using the website helpvot.gov.mv, migrants workers can now report trafficking cases online with confidentiality.
The cases reported on the website will be overseen by the newly established system -- ‘trafficking in persons case management system’.
The system was officially inaugurated by deputy commissioner of police, Ahmed Saeed at a special ceremony held at the police's Iskandhar building on Sunday.
The attendees of the ceremony included International Organisation For Migration’s program officer Ihma Shareef and the chair of mission for Maldives and Sri Lanka Giuseppe Crocetti, as well as foreign diplomats stationed in Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Crocetti noted how the police service of Maldives have been working to ensure that human trafficking is reported, and stopped. He said that some victims are hesitant to report the crime as a result of being coerced, adding that the introduction of this system is expected to resolve the matter as it enables full confidentiality.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saeed also addressed the ceremony, stating that all pertinent bodies and units are working together in countering human trafficking in the country.
70% of the victims of trafficking are women and 50% are children. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world and also the fastest growing one.
In the 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published by the US State Department in early March, it had highlighted on the employment discrimination against foreign labourers by local employers. The report also said that migrant labourers experience labour abuses and were the primary victims of human trafficking in the Maldives.
