Background information

The general objective of the Project was to increase the knowledge of trafficking for forced labour in Estonia, Finland and Poland, and to strengthen related cooperation and exchange of information within and between these countries. The project partners were the University of Tartu in Estonia and the Human trafficking studies centre within University of Warsaw in Poland. The FLEX project aimed at understanding the kind of exploitative situations of labour that exist in the three countries; whether there are forced labour situations and whether these situations include elements of trafficking; which economic sectors are especially affected; what is being done to prevent such exploitation, and; whether relevant actors and authorities recognise victims of trafficking for forced labour and whether there are sufficient mechanisms to assist the victims.

The project used a qualitative and quantitative approach to collect information on trafficking for forced labour, e.g. through thematic interviews, registry data, police, prosecution and court materials, and media sources. In consultation with relevant national and international actors the project created a joint methodology for data collection at the local level. In each of the countries the project build a network with relevant national actors to provide information and facilitate access to various data sources.

The project produced three national reports on trafficking for forced labour (one in each country) in local language to ensure that the information is accessible to all relevant national actors (e.g. labour inspectors). HEUNI also drafted a joint report in English, which incorporates the three country reports and an analytical summary on the characteristics of forced labour within the Baltic Sea Region. In addition, the project provides concrete tools (e.g. methodology) for national actors, such as the National Rapporteur or equivalent, to enhance their efforts to collect information on trafficking for forced labour.

For more information:

Natalia Ollus: natalia.ollus(at)om.fi

Minna Viuhko: minna.viuhko(at)om.fi