On 7 and 8 April 2022, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Justice of Georgia organized a training for 38 labour inspectors about forced labour and labour exploitation.

The 38 participants were greeted by representatives of IOM, the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Labour Inspection Service.

The newly released guidebook about forced labour and labour exploitation created especially for labour inspectors was presented during the training.

A local expert and former labour inspector himself guided the participants through a large range of issues, including relevant national and international legal frameworks, standards of countering forced labour and labour exploitation, indicators to help labour inspectors recognize instances of labour exploitation in high-risk economic sectors and practical tips how to conduct interviews with possible victims of trafficking in persons. A guest speaker of the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented aspects of criminal investigations in labour exploitation and emphasized the importance of close coordination between both entities to secure exchange of intelligence and prevent the contamination of evidence on the crime scene.

This two-day training took place as part of the INL-funded project “Joint Action Against Trafficking in Persons in Georgia”.