The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has established partnerships with a wide range of multilateral, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations, noted that migration is inevitable, necessary and desirable for migrants and host populations alike, if well governed.

Recently, various stakeholders participated in a two-day workshop sponsored by the IOM, aimed at the identification, referral and protection of victims of human trafficking.

Established since 1951 the International Organization for Migration and its partners in the international community are working together to uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants, encourage social and economic development through migration, assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management and advance understanding of migrant issues.

The workshop was held in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia via the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Inspector at the Immigration Department, Lucius Lake, said although Saint Lucia has no issues with human trafficking, it is vitally important to prepare.

“When the Lambirds Academy case started off we weren’t fully prepared for it because of the [lack of] exposure and training in trafficking in persons. The police force had some intervention but not to the full extent. So this actually opened up and showed us where our deficiencies were and where we needed to be, so that we will be ready to handle such situations if it arises,” he said.

Understanding human trafficking, victim assistance and protections were among the main topics discussed during the certification workshop.

Eraina Yaw is the IOM National Project Coordinator for the Caribbean.

“Persons from government agencies and civil society organizations are here to learn more about trafficking in persons to be able to do basic referrals and basic identification. We understand that this is an issue in the Caribbean because of the various problems trafficking may pose on a society, that it’s best that front line staff (the people who deal directly with persons who provide a service) are trained, that they’re well aware of what it is, how much it affects the person, and how they can help.”

She added that the workshop forms part of a 24-month project with a strong public awareness and sensitization component, to provide greater levels of information to the general public.

“I believe if people are aware what it is they will report, and as long as persons are sensitized, then there will be some kind of action. I believe the problem is people don’t identify or they can’t identify what really trafficking is. What are all the factors that determine this is a human trafficking case.”

Yaw pointed out a few telltale signs to determine if someone is a victim of human trafficking.

“It has to do with recruitment. Somebody can’t just look at a person and determine. There has to be a process of recruitment. There has to be a process of experiencing some kind of abuse, some kind of vulnerability and also the means of how the person was trafficked. So there are a number of areas that you have to analyze before you can say this is a person who has been trafficked.”

Inspector Lake is also cautioning the public to be careful of the trickery used by human traffickers to lure their victims in.

“My advice is if it looks too good to be true, do your own fact-checking. Keep your guard up and be careful. Don’t be duped. Anybody can be trafficked, anybody at all.

The workshop was conducted from April 10 to 11 at the Pastoral Centre.