The Ministry of Labour is making significant push for increased budgetary support in order to strengthen its efforts to combat human trafficking in Liberia.
The Ministry’s call is shrouded in the persistent challenges it says confronting the division responsible for addressing trafficking in persons.
At a press conference last week, Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah emphasized the need for what he termed “stronger institutional and financial support to help the ministry effectively address the crime.”
“Liberia has an obligation, as a member of the international community, to ensure that human trafficking is eradicated or significantly reduced,” he added.
Minister Kruah described trafficking in persons as a crime against humanity that has attracted condemnation from international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United States Department of State.
“The division responsible for combating human trafficking continues to face several challenges that require additional financial resources and institutional support to strengthen its operations,” he said.
According to him, adequate funding is necessary to improve the ministry’s capacity to investigate trafficking cases, support prosecutions and intensify efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
He recalled how Liberia had previously been placed on the Tier 2 Watch List because of shortcomings in its efforts to combat human trafficking, including difficulties in successfully prosecuting cases brought before the courts.
He explained that the designation indicated concerns about the government’s efforts to meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking in persons, underscoring the need for stronger measures to address the problem.
The Labour Minister stressed that sustained government commitment, adequate budgetary allocations and effective enforcement of existing laws are essential to improving Liberia’s response to human trafficking.
He also noted that the United States Department of State had recognized the Liberian government’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons, although he provided no further details about the recognition during the briefing.
Addressing information circulating on social media and other media platforms concerning the reported arrest of more than 50 Chinese nationals, the Minister said the information originated from discoveries made by inspectors of the Ministry of Labour.
He however, failed to provide further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests, the identities of those involved and any alleged labour or trafficking violations were not provided during the briefing.
The minister’s appeal for increased funding highlights the need for sustained investment in the Ministry of Labour’s anti-trafficking operations as Liberia continues its efforts to prevent exploitation, strengthen enforcement and meet its obligations in the fight against trafficking in persons.
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