Mines Officers targeted for TIP training

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DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, May 09, 2018

As part of continued efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons, the TIP Ministerial Task Force is working on augmenting its training activities to include Mines Officers.

Trafficking in Persons Logo.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Coordinator (ag) of the Task Force, Oliver Profitt, said the Mines Officers are frontline officials and the first point of contact for a TIP victim. Therefore, it is critical that they know how to identify a TIP victim and refer a case.

“Trafficking in persons happens everywhere but there is a prevalent danger in the interior. With Mines Officers patrolling that area, it is crucial that we inform and educate them how to handle such cases so we can strengthen that area.  We want to ensure that we give them proper sourcing material to deal with those cases,” Profitt emphasised.

He noted plans are moving apace to work on the agenda for the training. An officer from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissions (GGMC) will be recruited shortly to assist with the training.

In the latest US State Department TIP Report, Guyana has moved up from last year’s Tier 2 ranking to a Tier 1 ranking. This means that the country now fully meets the minimum standards for combating TIP.

Profitt noted that despite this notable achievement, the issue of trafficking in persons needs to be combatted.

“From 2014 to 2016, we saw an increase in alleged cases or reports of TIP. We had a reduction in 2017 but in 2018 we’re already seeing the 2017 figures. We don’t receive many reports for some regions but that doesn’t mean trafficking is not happening there. So, it is necessary that we expand our training activities with different stakeholders to tackle this scourge,” Profitt underlined.

The government, on assuming office in 2015, set about reversing the effects of the indifference of the previous administration in addressing the incidence of TIP; by enhancing education and strengthening enforcement.

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur.

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