Nine cases of suspected TIP recorded so far for 2019
Shelter Managers and operators flanked by officials of the Counter TIP unit on Wednesday (Adrian Narine)
Shelter Managers and operators flanked by officials of the Counter TIP unit on Wednesday (Adrian Narine)

-Counter TIP unit to ramp up raids, work closer with shelters

NINE cases of suspected Trafficking in Persons (TIP) have been recorded so far for 2019, said Coordinator of the Counter TIP Unit, Tanisha Williams-Corbin, adding that systems were being established to ensure that the number of cases did not increase.
Prior to the convening of a training programme for shelter managers and operators on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, Williams-Corbin said that the new cases followed a high number of cases which were reported in 2018.

She said there were 156 cases in 2018 and the trend had continued into 2019, but the Ministry of Social Protection, through the unit, had been working to ensure that the scourge was addressed.

The unit had since been able to assist 93 of the 156 persons who were transferred to shelters and agencies for further assistance.

“45 victims were also identified in Guyana and we’re working closely with a Caribbean island and the International Organisation for Migration to repatriate one victim who was recruited in Guyana but trafficked to a Caribbean country,” she said.
TIP is a global threat and it is estimated that over 21 million persons are enslaved through trafficking.

“We plan to do a lot of work in 2019 and so far we have started hard and we will continue hard throughout the year,” said Williams-Corbin, adding that the unit had quite a lot of activities, such as raids planned for 2019.

The unit had, over the years, been able to conduct raids in conjunction with the Guyana Police Force which, she said, had been doing an excellent job to assist the unit.
While the law enforcement officials had been playing their role, she reminded shelter managers and operators that it was their job to ensure that victims were safe and comfortable.

The coordinator and other officials of the unit explained that the training programme will enhance the ability of shelter managers and operators to care for TIP victims.
Guyana’s fight against TIP had seen the country maintaining its Tier one status in the US Department of State’s TIP report for 2017.
The report showed that Guyana had been making significant strides in the fight against trafficking in persons.

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