Covid-19 has led to a sudden and extreme economic disruption across the planet. According to the estimation from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy on 12th May over 122 million people in India lost their jobs in April 2020. Around 75% of them were small traders and wage-labourers. Unemployment on this scale, even if only temporary, will shrink incomes for the workers and their families. This in turn, will lead to increases in household debt, particularly in places where debt is already endemic, due to poverty. These new financial shocks will lead to greater risks for children, as well as adults, who may accept riskier work offers that could lead to an increase in exploitation and labour trafficking. To discuss on the topic Caritas India organised a webinar on “Impact of COVID-19 on Trafficking in Persons”. The webinar was attended by representatives from Europe and Asia specially the law enforcement agencies.

Fr. Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director of Caritas India in his welcome address warmly greeted all the esteemed guest and dignitaries, panelist and the participants from Europe and Asia. He emphasized that Human life is on the crossroad at this pandemic time and as human respondent it is our prime duty to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are at the predicament of life. He focused on the role of law enforcement agencies and safeguarding the access to justice. The support to victims must be without discrimination, he added.

Addressing the webinar Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, Chairman, Caritas India said that as per the NCRB data there is an increase in the number of human trafficking cases from 8000 to 22915 in 2016. He emphasised that there are many legal provisions in India, but it must be implemented. He highlighted that poverty, lack of employment, child marriage, some of the religious and traditional practices make people more vulnerable to trafficking. He suggested to have compulsory high-quality education, creating employment opportunities, focusing on Income Generation Activities (IGA) and the role of media in creating the awareness. Cooperation and collaboration are key to combat human trafficking.

Mr. Kevin Hyland, Senior advisor to Santa Marta Group, gave the keynote address in which he spoke about the efforts taken by Santa Marta Group to counter human trafficking. He said that girls and women are trafficked in U.K., India and across the world. Therefore, restructuring is required, and laws must be shrewdly implemented in the country. India has the largest number of Exodus since the Partition during this pandemic. He said that 75% of women and girls are the victims of human trafficking who are easily lured by the false promises and global collaboration is needed to address the issue. He exhorted that the businessperson, agricultural owners and other industry owners must join to stop the exploitation. Impunity should no longer to be tolerated, he added.

Dr. Vipin Kumar Mishra, IPS, SP. Baharaich shared some of the challenges in implementing the laws. He said that the Anti Human Trafficking Unit is not functional in Bahraich where he is posted. He emphasised that prosecution should be ensured in proper manner and each police station must have child friendly space. He added that the profile of the labour contractors must be tracked to identify the labour exploitation.

Mr. Digambar Narzary, Founder and Chairperson of NEDAN Foundation, focused on the vulnerability of adolescence and children in the context of COVID-19. He informed that the exploitation of children is on the rise and the national commission for women data gives a picture that the situation of domestic violence during Covid-19 has not reduced, it’s on the rise. Schools are closed and this will have a reverse impact as school is the only protective institution where children and adolescent get the opportunity to be protected. Three were 7 cases of child marriage, 4 cases of minor rape in his place. He suggested that these kind of webinar needs to be organised to create awareness and huge red operation alert needs to be started to prevent exploitation of children.

Mr. Surendra Kumar, IPS, Inspector General of Police, CID, Assam said that Assam police have been closely working with Caritas India in Assam and thanked the local team for their contribution. He stated, as per his assessment human trafficking had witnessed subdued activity, particularly interstate trafficking but at the same time, the interstate rescue operation has been adversely affected due to lockdown and mobility restriction. Human Trafficking will spike after lockdown, and for which action plan is required for handling the situation. He shared that Assam police has issued a letter to all Superintend of Police to prepare action plan, keeping in mind the local situation. He reiterated that the strong monitoring mechanism should be continued even after lockdown and convergence between every department must be focused.

Ms. Priti Patkar, Director Prerana, Mumbai shared the situation of the sex workers.  She said that the brothel houses were closed during lockdown which effected their earning thus they were unable to meet their needs. She suggested it is important to map the vulnerable population and link them with resources. All the panchayat of the district should be sensitized on child rights, and it should not be left out to Pradhan in any districts alone, instead it could be the duty of the District Magistrates to create awareness.

Jeff Bond, Associate Director of Strategic and Design at the Global Funds Organization (GFMS) talked about the human trafficking in supply chain. Of the estimated victims of modern slavery, 25 million are in the private sector in forced labour, which means two-third (2/3) of victims are connected in some forms of the supply chains and it does not matter where it takes place, it is everywhere. He illustrated that some research from the partners show that the Covid-19 is indicating and driving modern slavery. As this continue, there is need to develop short and long term plan to address trafficking in persons. There has to be improved welfare measures for workers, companies need to take preventive measures and think beyond firms, he added.

Professor Milan Dharel, Founder, Swatantra Abhiyaan, Nepal updated that Nepal is the member of different alliances among 21 countries to fight Human Trafficking. He emphasised on the role of civil society organisations. It is important to focus on preventive initiatives, protection services, access to justice and criminal investigation to break the chain of organised crime.  He informed that India Nepal Inter Ministerial meeting has been planned to discuss and develop policy framework to prevent Indo Nepal cross border human trafficking.

Mr. Prabhakar Singh, Assistant Commandant SSB informed about the role of border forces. He said that the different stakeholders have very specific role to fight the menace of Human trafficking. In the name of job and fake marriage people are trafficked. He pressed to develop cross border and inter state coordination.

Bishop Lumen Monteiro, Former Chairman, Caritas India shared the challenges faced by returnee migrants in North East. Law enforcement agencies need to be trained for the better implementation of law. He ensured that Caritas India will continue to work and look into their concerns to minimise the menace.

Cardinal Oswald Gracious, President, CBCI, said that Covid-19 has shown solidarity and similarly there is need to show solidarity towards the victims of human trafficking. There is more than ever need to come together and work in collaboration. He continued saying that the sexual abuse leaves lifelong negative effect on the lives of the survivors. Therefore, it is important to focus on healing of wounds. He invited Caritas India to look into this aspect and take up professional guidance to the victims to rebuild their lives. He appreciated the impactful work done by Caritas India during COVID-19 in the country.

Fr. Jolly Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India thanked all the speakers for the suggestions and recommendations. He ensured that Caritas India will take the measures to incorporate them in the programs to protect children and women who are vulnerable and need protection.

 As a way forward Mr. Rajesh Upadhyay, HoD, Caritas India, stated few points:

• Starting Red alert campaign at local, district and state level
• Taking up Public and PRI awareness /sensitization campaign by each stakeholder
• Ensuring Vigilance at community level
• Engaging of Adolescence at the grassroots
• Enabling community to identify traffickers
• Promoting High level convergence

The sessions were moderated by Ms. Leeza, Thematic Manager, AHT & Migration, Caritas India. The webinar concluded with a vote thanks by Ms. Babita Alick, operations manager, Caritas India.