Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Trinidad and Tobago (Ratification: 1963)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee noted that the Trafficking in Persons Act was adopted in 2011. Section 16 of the Act prohibits trafficking in persons, and perpetrators are liable on conviction to a fine of not less than 500,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) and imprisonment of not less than 15 years. The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that, the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) has charged 22 persons who are before the Courts. While the majority of cases involved trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, from 2013 to 2015, the CTU has confirmed six cases of labour exploitation and domestic servitude and charged concerned persons. Moreover, one person, a law enforcement officer, had been committed to stand trial and all other matters remain pending before the Courts. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcomes of the pending cases before the Courts, including the convictions and the penalties imposed. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application in practice of the Trafficking in Persons Act.