Dubai: Migrant workers are more susceptible to falling prey to exploiting forces and compulsive labour if they use an intermediary to secure work, Beate Andrees, Head of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour, said.

She was speaking at the Combating Human Trafficking conference at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai yesterday (Tuesday).

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Labour, Dubai Police and the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.

“Human trafficking and forced labour are the dark underside of globalisation,” she said. “Exploiters find that there are huge profits to be generated through forced labour, about $150 billion (Dh550.97 billion) a year. Through deception and fraudulent promises they lure job-seekers overseas and force them into working in jobs they did not agree upon.

Andrees said there are over 21 million men, women and children who are victims of forced labour and trafficking throughout the world.

“Over 600,000 of them are in the Arab region,” she said. “Part of the reason is that there is a huge imbalance where skilled labour is needed.”

The UAE will take part in the ILO’s Fair Recruitment Initiative which, Andrees said, provides a platform for international governments to exchange practices in combating human trafficking.

Andrees emphasised using technology to empower trafficking victims.

Dr Saeed Bin Umair Al Gafli, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs and Rapporteur of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said the specialised committee has representatives of all branches of the government to prosecute, prevent and treat human trafficking cases.

“Our primary mission is the cooperation of government agencies to effectively deal with trafficking cases and raise awareness to prevent them. Human trafficking is usually entwined with other crimes, such as prostitution. Our committee has established a five-point strategy to combat human trafficking and labour exploitation.”

Al Gafli said “through a number of campaigns at airports throughout the Emirates, we point out the telltale signs of human trafficking and worker exploitation to those arriving to the country. We advise them on who to talk to and who to trust, as well as inform them about the laws and how we can help”.

“The committee hotline has led to a huge enhancement of the interaction between us and the victims.”

Al Gafli said swift prosecution is vital in deterring cases of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking sentences can range anywhere between a year to a lifetime in jail and a fine, depending on the severity and gravity of the crime. The highest number of recorded human trafficking cases per year was in 2010 when we had 58 cases. In 2013, we recorded 19 cases with 50 traffickers and 24 victims.”

“Few recorded human trafficking cases are of labourer exploitation and the sale of children,” Al Gafli said. “There is a notable change in the nature of human trafficking in the UAE today. Most of the cases are sex-oriented.”

Al Gafli said the UAE has signed memorandums of understanding with a number of countries where coerced workers in the UAE hail from, including Armenia, Azerbejian and Thailand.

Humaid Bin Deemas, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the ministsry, said origin countries of migrant workers should also do their part to spread awareness on human trafficking and labor exploitation.

“Here in the UAE, we have analysed the various steps of workers and the methods that bring them into our country. We are investing concerted efforts on preventing the labour market from becoming a gateway of deception. There are contact centres and hotlines which are dedicated to receiving complaints from harassed and exploited workers. We receive around 75,000 complaints per month.”

Bin Deemas said a specialised committee reviews the complaints and takes the necessary action.

“The committee frequently dispatches teams to inspect labour housings and conditions. There are punishments for sponsors who do not comply with the regulations set by the federal government. In fact, The UAE was the first in the Arab region to issue a federal law for combating human trafficking, and also the first Arab country to create a specialised centre to combat human trafficking.”