The government slightly increased efforts to prevent trafficking. The national coordinator led the Office of the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator (ONAC) and overall anti-trafficking efforts; however, observers reported limited coordination efforts by the national coordinator, who maintained additional responsibilities, and ONAC. The State Committee against Trafficking in Persons, composed of relevant ministry representatives, was responsible for monitoring and implementing various anti-trafficking efforts; the State Committee has not met since 2021. The government implemented the 2021-2023 NAP and allocated 412.6 million leks ($4,426,000) for its implementation. Twelve regional anti-trafficking committees, comprising local officials and NGOs, worked on local victim assistance and referral mechanisms. The Advisory Board of Victims of Trafficking consisted of three survivors who provided recommendations on anti-trafficking efforts, and for the first time in 2023, participated in NRM decision making procedures. The government, independently and in cooperation with NGOs and international organizations, conducted awareness campaigns for students, government officials, the public, and teachers. In December 2023, the government re-established its anti-trafficking’s hotline after suspending operations in 2020 but reported the hotline has not yet received any calls. The government maintained a legal framework for regulating and licensing private sector employers and recruitment agencies, including prohibiting worker-paid recruitment fees. However, labor inspectors did not have authority to inspect informal work activities, including unregistered businesses. Law on public procurement disqualified companies – including administrative personnel, leadership, or supervisory bodies – convicted of trafficking or exploitation of children from competition for public contracts. The government made efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts by investigating purchasers of commercial sex, compared with none in 2022.
from 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – U.S. Department of State
2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of State
