Gardaí targetting labour exploitation in the agricultural sector have conducted searches in Donegal Dublin, Meath and Cavan.
The operation was part of a joint-action operation against human trafficking for labour exploitation.
While no human trafficking offences were disclosed in Ireland, 874 workers affected by labour violation or exploitation were identified during an action week across 16 European countries led by Europol and the European Labour Authority.
The operation was led by France and involved a wide range of law enforcement authorities, including police, immigration and border guards, labour inspectorates and tax authorities from 16 countries. More than 6 000 officers from national authorities took part in operational activities on the ground.
In Ireland, Gardaí from various units and personnel from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Revenue Commissioners conducted a number of searches of premises in Dublin, Meath, Cavan and Donegal from Wednesday 14th September 2022 to Wednesday 21st September 2022.
Over the course of this week, Gardaí and WRC officials met with and spoke to over 35 staff.
“In addition to these searches, Gardaí from HTICU also delivered a presentation on Human Trafficking to multiple agencies working in a Dublin-based Transit Centre,” a garda spokesperson said.
“It’s envisaged this presentation, which is targeted towards educating staff on how to identify potential signs, triggers and patterns that possible Human Traffickers may be using to recruit vulnerable people to try and exploit them in the agricultural sector, will be delivered in similar premises across Ireland in the near future.”
