Belgium participated in Joint Action Days leading to the arrest of 51 persons and identification of 334 potential victims of human trafficking
From 20 to 27 April 2024, Belgium participated, with 30 other countries, in the EMPACT Joint Action Days targeting human trafficking for labour exploitation purposes. The action resulted inter alia in 160 perpetrators and 334 potential victims identified and led to the arrest of 51 persons.
In April 2024, Belgium has taken part in Joint Action Days within the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). Led by the Netherlands, and carried out by authorities from 31 countries with support from Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA), the action days targeted human trafficking for labour exploitation purposes, in particular the exploitation of non-EU nationals and refugees.
Countries performed inspections in a broad range of sectors such as catering, gastronomy, food delivery, food and meat processing, beauty services, domestic health services, logistics and distribution, agriculture, construction and mining. The actions led inter alia to:
- 165 896 entities checked (including 63 649 persons, 9 564 locations, 20 556 vehicles and 76 670 documents)
- 160 persons suspected of trafficking human beings identified (of which 93 for labour exploitation)
- 51 persons arrested for various crimes (of which 30 for labour exploitation)
- 334 potential victims of human trafficking identified (of which 279 potential victims of labour exploitation)
For further details, please read the press release from Europol dated 30 May 2024.