Backing into the abyss: Romania’s struggle with THB in the context of the war in Ukraine

• In Event: ERADICATING: social, financial and security impacts of trafficking in human beings

Abstract

THB is underreported and unacknowledged in Romania. The official statistics show a decrease in the number of registered victims, cases and perpetrators in the last 10 years while civil society and international organisations have concerns over the capacity of the government agencies to adequately monitor the situation. According to recent surveys, 75% of the citizens are dissatisfied by the results in combating THB. As a response to domestic and international recommendations, new policies have been adopted by the government and new shelters for victims were reported in 2023. Nevertheless, the THB risks already present multiplied after Russia invasion of Ukraine. More than 3 million Ukrainian citizens entered Romania in 2022, mostly women and children. Also, in 2022, Romania doubled the threshold of foreign new workers admitted on the labour market from 50,000 to 100,000 persons. The THB patterns are becoming more complex; online recruitment grew from 1,44% in 2012 to 3,57% in 2014, 8,70% in 2018, 10,32% in 2019, 16,44% in 2020 up to 21% in 2021 and dropped to 18% in 2022; almost half of the registered victims each year are underaged; the labour trafficking and exploitation through begging is raising. The presentation focuses on the major challenges Romania faces in detecting and prosecuting human trafficking as well as victim protection and assistance.

Authors

• Radu Nicolae, ASOCIATIA PENTRU COOPERARE SI DEZVOLTARE DURABILA

• Andreea Gusa, ASOCIATIA PENTRU COOPERARE SI DEZVOLTARE DURABILA