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AIRLINES ARE BEING encouraged to use an online training resource developed to help staff recognise the potential victims of human trafficking.
A National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland said airlines need to develop awareness among their staff of the potential vulnerability of children travelling alone or with adults, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said recently.
He was asked about his plans to introduce a requirement for special training for airline staff to enable them to identify victims of trafficking, by Deputy Ciaran Lynch.
Shatter said that in 2012 the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of his Department, in consultation with their counterparts in the United Kingdom, developed a training resource for airline staff.
This is available at www.blueblindfold.gov.ie.
The Minister said that both the Irish and United Kingdom authorities have made contact since then with airlines flying into and out of both jurisdictions, looking for them to provide training to airline staff on the indicators of human trafficking.
Deputy Lynch has called on airlines to provide their staff with the necessary training.
“Airlines are on the frontline of the effort to tackle this heinous crime,” he said.
He added that passengers too also play their part, “by being on the lookout for evidence that a fellow passenger is a victim of trafficking”.
A second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland is currently being drafted.
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Ok, so it’s up to the airline staff and the public – God forbid that the Gardai Immigration officials might do their jobs.
Minister for outsourcing methinks …
So, should they put Gardai on every flight?
No Mr Judge, they’re already in every airport.
That is true.
Now, why shouldn’t airline staff also be trained in identifying these people? They could give advance warning to police at the destination airport that something may be wrong.
For a start we need proper penalties for traffickers such as never leaving prison.
You would think they’d use ferries when travelling through Europe less chance of being caught.
Exactly, they do use the ferry.
But remember these people work in gangs and have people inside the security system etc to assist.
Airline staff? What about security at the airport they’d be the 1st line wouldn’t they?
I’d assume they already have some formal training in regards to this.
Airline staff however, do not.
I thought trafficked people didn’t realise they’re been trafficked until they arrive
We`ve heard similar nonsense with MH370 when it was discovered two passengers were travelling under false passports. It is not the role of airline or ferry staff to police our air and seaports. That is the role of immigration and national police forces. Of course immigation and security checks need the cooperation and support of airlines and ferry companies, but this is a case of beauracratic shifting of control and responsibility, and if something goes wrong, ultimate blame.
Ok give them the training but don’t put the onus on detection on ferry/aircrew staff.
It is still the task of immigration authorities.
If I was a pessimist I could be forgiven for thinking that this is a cop out for the authorities.
This is exactly what Airline Ambassadors International does…..train airport staff to identify and ACT on human trafficking issues. More info on their human trafficking specific training at: http://www.stopslavery2014.com – The President of Airline Ambassadors (a 40,000 member organization) may be reached at
http://airlineamb.org/
Airline Ambassadors International
1500 Massachusetts Avenue #648
Washington, DC 20005
Toll-Free: (866) ANGEL-86 (1-866-264 3586)
Phone: (415) 359-8006
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Nancy Rivard – President
nancy.rivard@airlineamb.org
Deanna Frieze – Humanitarian Missions
deanna.frieze@airlineamb.org
Margaret Whitehead – Children’s Escort Program
margaret.whitehead@airlineamb.org
Sandy Dhuyvetter – Communications, Human Trafficking
sandy.dhuyvetter@airlineamb.org
have your say