Baku - On 29 April, 2019 the International Organization for Migration Mission in Azerbaijan conducted a workshop on combating human trafficking for 20 labor inspectors from State Labor Inspectorate Service under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population. The event was held within the framework of the project Enhancement of National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in Azerbaijan (ENCT) funded by the European Union and co-funded by IOM Development Fund. 

The workshop kicked off with a welcoming speech by Ms. Simona Gatti, Minister Counsellor of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan and Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, the Chief of IOM’s Mission in Azerbaijan.

Ms. Simona Gatti welcomed the participants and highlighted the role and commitment of the European Union in fighting trafficking in human beings. 

Vladimir Gjorgjiev expressed his assurance that the workshop would contribute to the work of the labor inspectors and enhance their capacity in line with the strategy of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership  in countering human trafficking. 

“This is a very important topic for the labor inspectors to enhance their capacities specially during their visits to the private and public companies, specifically in area of recognizing the right labor documentation, correct labor experience and expertise, as well to recognize for dignified and healthy working conditions free of any labor harassment, that in same time guarantees fair wages and salaries paid on time. Besides this the inspectors’ work is considered as an activity that in same time combines prevention with prosecution, and these two heavily contributes to implementation to the above mentioned strategy countering human trafficking” said Gjorgjiev.

The overall objective of the project ENCT is to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Azerbaijan in effectively countering the human trafficking and protecting victims of human trafficking.