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The Swiss platform against human trafficking is sounding the alarm: never before have there been as many suspected victims of this modern form of slavery in Switzerland as last year.
In 2022, 324 people turned to the appropriate specialized agencies for help – and 177 were actually identified as victims of human trafficking. A large proportion of those affected are women, but the number of men is constantly increasing: from eleven percent in 2019 to 23 percent in 2022. Expert Julia Kuruc is convinced: economic pressure encourages human trafficking, and in some cases the authorities are looking into consciously in the direction. other way
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Mrs Kuruc, why is human trafficking taking place elsewhere than in Zurich’s Langstrasse?
Julia Kuruc: Because human trafficking does not only occur in the sex industry! Human trafficking also occurs on the Zurichberg or in the diplomatic district of Bern, where some housekeepers have to work seven days a week for ridiculous prices, or in nail salons, in agriculture or on construction sites.
Construction sites are strictly monitored for undeclared work. How can human trafficking arise?
The controls are not nearly as strict as we would like. The price pressure in the construction sector is enormous. The cheapest offer wins, so Swiss construction companies depend on subcontractors. Ultimately, no one looks closely at the conditions under which construction workers actually work.
How does human trafficking work on a construction site?
Construction workers from Southeastern Europe are lured to Switzerland with false promises. You are promised a high salary. They are denied employment contracts and end up being deducted terrible amounts for food and shelter. The construction workers cannot defend themselves and, at best, are in debt to the perpetrators. You don’t know the language or Swiss laws. I know of a case where a construction worker had to work hard despite broken bones.
You have worked for five years at a specialized firm that deals with such matters. What fate has touched you in particular?
A Nigerian woman fled across the Mediterranean to Italy. There she was forced into prostitution. When she became pregnant, she fled to Switzerland to escape the violent pimp.
And then?
Switzerland wanted to deport the pregnant Nigerian woman to Italy – back into the hands of the pimp. Fortunately, Italy halted withdrawals from Dublin at the time, causing the repatriation to fail.
The federal government must also adhere to the Dublin system.
No, he doesn’t have to. The Dublin system is a driver of human trafficking. It plays into the hands of criminals. Switzerland can suspend the Dublin procedure at any time. According to the Council of Europe Convention, Switzerland is obliged to protect people – regardless of the Dublin Regulation.
Do the cantons deal with the problem of human trafficking differently?
It makes a big difference in which cantonal population is exploited. There are cantons where there is officially no human trafficking, because there are no authorities or specialized agencies that keep a close eye on it. Very different, for example, in the canton of Vaud. The Astrée department does an excellent job here: victims of human trafficking receive professional support and temporary legal residence.
Social worker Julia Kuruc (39) led the program for the protection of victims of human trafficking at the Women’s Trafficking and Women Migration Office (FIZ) in Zurich for five years. The FIZ advocates the protection and rights of migrants affected by violence and exploitation.
Social worker Julia Kuruc (39) led the program for the protection of victims of human trafficking at the Women’s Trafficking and Women Migration Office (FIZ) in Zurich for five years. The FIZ advocates the protection and rights of migrants affected by violence and exploitation.
Can limited legal residence actually help people in need?
It helps to start a new chapter in life – without the fear of being immediately deported. Victims of human trafficking are deeply traumatized. They live in fear of being beaten and raped. The threshold for going to the police is very high. That is why the breathing space is important.
What is happening during this time?
Physical and mental health is a top priority. Those affected live in sheltered housing. You will be monitored and you can consider whether you want to file a complaint. Many fear they will be deported if it becomes known that they are in Switzerland illegally. But without witnesses we cannot fight human trafficking. The victim is often the only person who can witness human trafficking.
How do you make contact with the victims?
Nobody comes and says, Hey, I’m a victim of human trafficking. People are needed who can see and read the signs. Many come to us through the specialized police, and there is outreach social work. We usually only take action when it is no longer possible. For example, when doctors become suspicious during examinations. Or after a suicide attempt. But we only see the tip of the iceberg.
How could human trafficking be stopped in Switzerland?
With higher, fair wages and strong trade unions and labor inspectorates that monitor this. Even though Switzerland is so rich, everything has to be cheaper. This encourages human trafficking. At the same time, it is a scandal that some cantons claim that there is no human trafficking in their country – thus justifying that they do not need a specialized police or agency to support victims.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
