In 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Regional Report on the Existing Capacities to Measure Trafficking in Persons in the Pacific Islands estimated that 0.6 per cent of Fiji’s population experienced ‘severe’ instances of trafficking in persons. The Fiji Government is working towards strengthening the implementation of their anti-trafficking National Action Plan (2021-2026) by bolstering investigation and prosecution efforts and strengthening collaborative partnerships to enhance awareness-raising activities.

Supporting the Fiji Government’s recent commitments to further strengthen its national response to trafficking in persons, the workshop brought together 17 frontline practitioners—including immigration and customs officers at maritime ports, police officers, labour inspection officers, fisheries officers and aviation officers—to raise awareness about different forms and indicators of trafficking in persons, and positive practices for victim identification, referral and protection.

The first training day provided an important introduction to the connections between trafficking in persons, modern slavery, migration, and different sectors, including the fishing industry.

The RSO delivered practical information and led activities that highlighted the institutional and structural barriers to victim identification. The RSO also demonstrated the importance of having victim identification procedures within a country’s response framework for trafficking in persons.  IOM Fiji emphasised the legal frameworks that outline the authority of each agency in the Fiji government and the significance of their distinct roles to promote migrant protection. IOM also reinforced participants’ fundamental understanding of trafficking in persons, its elements, and its global prevalence.

The day underscored the importance of understanding trafficking in persons from the perspective of survivors. It explored how frontline officials can recognise and overcome personal biases and misconceptions, efforts that can build trust among vulnerable migrants in authorities. Additionally, the session highlighted the need for appropriate responses that meet victims’ needs in accordance with best practices.

The second day shifted the focus to the role of frontline practitioners in the screening and referral of trafficking victims. Through workshops and case studies, participants gained a detailed understanding of indicators of various types of trafficking, screening and referral mechanisms, and the special measures that should be in place for child victims of trafficking.

Eun Jung Yi, RSO Programme Manager for Border and Migration Management said: “Screening and referring vulnerable migrants in a manner that is sensitive to their age, gender and culture supports effective outcomes. Early identification of victims of trafficking allows appropriate support and protection measures to be put in place, prevents further harm at the hands of authorities, and supports effective evidence collection that can benefit investigations to better counter the reach and operations of transnational criminal activities.”

Sera Raisulu, IOM Fiji Project Coordinator for Immigration and Border Governance/Migrant Protection also shared: “Regular training on trafficking in persons, conducted jointly with other agencies, can provide a holistic overview of each agency’s mandate, encouraging collaboration and information sharing. In Fiji, there remains a gap in awareness among police officers, particularly those based within communities. They need technical support to better understand the issue, identify victims, and refer them to specialised services and support. Trafficking in persons does not only affect people moving across borders, and an important insight for officers was that this could also occur.”

Throughout the event, the importance of cross-sector cooperation in countering trafficking in persons was underscored. Participation from frontline practitioners from different agencies shared their different perspectives and knowledge on the issue, and helped strengthen communication among Fiji officials.

Eranga Rambukwella, secondee to the RSO from the Government of Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration, who also presented at the training reflected: “Effective cross-border collaboration between law enforcement, immigration and border officials, international organisations, civil society, the private sector and community s is crucial in enabling good outcomes to effectively counter trafficking in persons. Immigration officials play a vital role in victim identification, which enhances protection, prosecution, and prevention efforts, and taking on different perspectives from across all parts of society and interested actors supports understanding and skills to effectively achieve this.”

The RSO looks forward to continued collaboration with the Fiji Government and regional partners that can support domestic counter-trafficking efforts.