An analysis on the Philippine government implementation of the preventive mechanisms against human trafficking : challenges and prospects

Abstract

Human trafficking is a threat to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at allstages of migration. OFWs are susceptible to the risk of human rights violations that most migrant workers experience, which the two major forms of trafficking are debt bondage and forced labour. Consequently, the Philippine government has craftedlaws, policies, and agreements to combat human trafficking of Filipino migrantworkers. This study aimed to (1) discuss the government’s implementation of preventive measures against human trafficking of Filipino migrant workers, and (2)identify elements that deter these efforts taken by the Philippine government.This qualitative research analyzed migration governance of Philippines by conducting semi-structured interviews with one implementing officer from theDepartment of Justice - Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT),five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and one Filipino expert on migration and human trafficking from the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute. The gathered data were analyzed by utilizing the UN Protocol Against Trafficking as a framework to determine the areas that should be prioritized by the government inits implementation of the trafficking preventive measures.The results suggested that forced labor and debt bondage brought about by human trafficking in the pre-migration stage continued to occur in Philippines. The major challenges in combating trafficking were the practices of illegal recruiters, the absence of a centralized database system for OFWs, and inconsistencies in the policy implementation. Based on the results of this study, capacity-building training among implementing officers and coordination among migration-related institutions to fight against human trafficking should be emphasized. It is suggested that the Philippine government needs to continually pursue effective implementation strategies against human trafficking that are adequate and reliable. IMPLICATION OF THE THESIS. This study can be useful for the Philippine government in discussing preventive mechanisms against human trafficking and identifying challenges that deter effective implementation of these measures. The recommendations from this research will assist the government in their anti-trafficking strategy formation.