Human trafficking is one of the leading crimes in the world. This happens in many ways. You probably heard some news regarding overseas workers being sent to other countries to work for a supposedly legal company but once they got to that country, they are forced to work as prostitutes or do other illegal jobs. This is called human trafficking and this is not tolerated in the UAE.
Also Read: Anti-Discrimination Law in UAE
If you are an expat residing and working in the country and you are suffering from this crime or you know someone who is a victim, there are ways on how you can report it to the authorities.
What is human trafficking in the UAE?
The UAE has provided hotlines and other support services where you can report human trafficking. Since the country condemns human trafficking, it aims to prosecute and punish perpetrators in the country. Each emirate has assigned agencies to whom you can talk to.
According to Federal Law No. 51 of 2006 and amended in Federal Law No. 1 of 2015, human trafficking is described as an activity that involves forced labour or service, forced begging, servitude or enslavement, quasi-slavery, sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, and prostitution.
What are the penalties for human trafficking?
Any offender who will be caught using expats to execute these activities will be punished with a minimum of five-year imprisonment and paying a fine of at least AED 100,000.
What are the agencies involved in human trafficking?
The UAE puts a lot of effort in order to contain human trafficking crimes in the UAE. In fact, in 2007, it has established the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking (NCCHT) in all emirates. It has also built Ewa’a Shelters for children and women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the country.
In Dubai, there’s also an agency called the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) that can protect children and women against human trafficking, domestic violence, and abuse. It’s a non-profit organization and a licensed agency in the UAE.
The General Directorate for Human Rights Protection under the administration of the Dubai Police is also an agency to rely on. It gives victims legal, social, and psychological support. It also provides temporary shelter, temporary visa, and airline tickets for the victims who want to go back to their home countries.
How to report human trafficking in the UAE?
To report human trafficking in Dubai, you can utilize the following contact details:
- Email at htccc@dubaipolice.gov.ae
- Call the Control Centre of Human Trafficking at +971 4 608 2347
- Call the Labour Complaints Hotline at 800 5005
- Call the Human Trafficking Issues Hotline at 800 7283
- Fax at +971 4 217 1644
To report human trafficking in Abu Dhabi, contact the Abu Dhabi Police as they administer multiple social support centers where you can ask for help or report human trafficking activities.
To report human trafficking in Sharjah, contact the Women’s Protection Center of the Social Services Department of the Government of Sharjah (SSSD) at 800 800 700. This agency provides social, psychological, and legal support to the victims of human trafficking, abuse, and domestic violence.
How to avoid human trafficking?
As an employee who is looking forward to working in the UAE, you can avoid human trafficking in many ways. Here are some of our tips for you to avoid offenders in the country.
Connect only with legal recruiters
Recruiters in the UAE are usually agencies and the government itself. No individual recruiter is allowed to bring employees in the country. You should be aware of this in order to avoid people who are personally recruiting you to fly in the country with them. Before you move to the UAE to work, do a background about the agency first. It must be authorized by the UAE and by your home country. It should also be transparent regarding the employment process. Without transparency, aim to turn down the offer as it may lead you to do human trafficking jobs.
Do not accept random job offers
If you did not apply for a job but you got a random job offer, avoid it and block the sender. As much as you can, do not come in contact with the people to whom you are not familiar with. Only talk to legal recruiters and watch out for the agencies where you applied for a job. Familiarize yourself with the hiring process and always ask about your employer and the job description.
Learn how to tell if the recruiter is scam or not
Illegal recruiters will tell you good things about the UAE and how you can earn more money. They will also tell you about the common jobs here such as nannies, salon employees, and construction among others. To tell if the recruiter is a scam or not, you should ask for an employment contract. Check as well if the employer and the recruiter have the right permits to recruit employees in the country. You may check it with your government if you are not yet in the UAE.
Always check the employment contract first
This is the most important part of the process. Checking your employment contract first will allow you to discover the real job being offered. This is where your job information is written, including your job position, your employer, your salary, your benefits, and the tenure of the contract. By scanning your contract, you will be able to check with your government or with the UAE authorities if the company is legit or not. Never go to the UAE without a signed employment contract. Your employment permit and residence visa should be facilitated too. Everything should be in the right place before you start your first day at work.
Final Thoughts
Human trafficking is a serious offense. If you are a victim or you know someone who has been a victim of this crime, don’t hesitate to report it to the authorities. Share this information to help your fellow expats and save them from human trafficking offenders!
