Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - United Arab Emirates (Ratification: 1982)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. 1. Institutional framework, law enforcement and penalties. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has adopted a National Strategy to combat trafficking in persons based on five pillars: (i) prevention; (ii) prosecution; (iii) penalties; (iv) victim protection; and (v) international cooperation. The Government further indicates that the Dubai police headquarters has established a Centre for monitoring crimes involving human trafficking, which also involves ensuring coordination between governmental bodies and civil society organizations and the preparation of awareness and training programmes.

The Committee also takes notes of the 2018 report of the NCCHT. It notes in particular, the establishment of a coordinating body for anti-trafficking efforts at all levels of the seven emirates of the federation, in addition to the initiation of a number of awareness-raising campaigns to prevent trafficking in persons. For instance, a campaign has targeted companies recruiting migrant domestic workers to highlight the dangers of trafficking in persons. Another consisted of the launch of the anti-trafficking diploma course aimed at improving the skills of law enforcement officials dealing with this crime. According to the Government, 242,140 persons have benefited from anti-trafficking training, among them 20 diplomats, 65 law enforcement persons and 1,371 national officials.

The Committee further notes the statistical information provided by the Government in the NCCHT report regarding the number of cases of trafficking in persons brought before the courts in 2018: 30 cases were registered, one of which was a case of forced labour, involving two victims which is still under way before court. The cases included 51 victims and 77 people were indicted. Final decisions have been issued for 13 cases, resulting in sentences ranging from three years’ imprisonment and a fine, to life imprisonment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application in practice of the National Strategy to combat trafficking in persons, indicating the results achieved in implementing the five pillars. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of investigations carried out, prosecutions, convictions and the penalties imposed.

2. Assistance and protection of victims. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are a total number of four shelters (Ewa shelters) for victims of trafficking, of which two are in Abu Dhabi, one for women, established in 2008, and the other for male victims. There is also the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) and the Aman Centre, established in 2018 in Ras al Khaima. The capacity of the shelter for women and children in Abu Dhabi is 65 victims and the shelter for males can accommodate 20 victims. According to the statistical information provided by the Government, in 2018 the Ewa shelter provided psychological, medical and legal assistance to 17 victims of trafficking. The Government also indicates the establishment of a programme for the protection of human rights under the DFWC, which focuses on building staff capacities to deal with cases of trafficking and forced labour. For the period 2015–18, a service for the care of victims of crimes involving trafficking in persons was launched alongside a labour-related complaint mechanisms that can be submitted through the Smart Police Stations (SPS). This service allows individuals to request assistance or provide information and data about suspected cases of trafficking in persons. Moreover, in 2015, the Foundation prepared an integrated awareness-raising programme, targeting workers most vulnerable to trafficking risks, such as women workers in beauty salons and restaurants, and domestic workers. Within the framework of this programme, the information pamphlet on human trafficking has been translated into Amharic and Hindi, and 10,000 copies printed in each of these languages. Audio clips for broadcasts in Chinese have been prepared and a documentary on human trafficking has been produced. The Committee further notes that during the period 2015–18, 46 victims of trafficking benefited from the “You Are Not Alone” programme, which follows up and monitors a range of legal and humanitarian aspects of protection and support for victims. The Committee encourages the Government to continue its efforts to ensure that victims of trafficking are provided with adequate protection. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to identify, provide protection and assist victims of trafficking, as well as statistical data on the number of persons benefiting from such measures.