THE Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit (C-TIP), at the Ministry of Social Protection will be placing emphasis on migrant TIP victims, during its observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30).

Guyana continues to maintain a “Tier One” ranking in the annual US State Department’s 2020 TIP Report, by demonstrating serious and sustained efforts to address the social issue, however, with a growing immigrant population, the exploitation of migrants continues to be an issue.
Victims are known to come from Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela, with many of them said to be lured to Guyana by persons under the pretence of receiving well-paid job opportunities, only to be manipulated and abused financially, physically or sexually, in many instances.

In 2019, a total of 102 victims were identified, which was a significant improvement when compared to the 156 and 131 identified in 2018 and 2017 respectively. Of the 102 victims, 95 were female, and seven male. Among the lot were 10 minors, according to the report.
The government has been actively addressing the issue with the formulation of the Inter-Ministerial TIP Task Force, which has done a number of awareness activities and launched the “Guyana TIP Action Plan”.

The observation of World Day against TIP will be used to further help to bring about awareness of the issue.
The day is being observed under the theme “Embracing Diversity, Reducing Vulnerabilities, Promoting Safe Migration”, and will run from July 27 – 30, starting with a balloon releasing event at the Seawall on Monday; where TIP survivors and ministry officials will be releasing blue balloons symbolic of the grief of those who were trafficked, while acting as a reminder of the cold-heartedness of individuals who exploit their fellow human beings for their own personal gains.

Additionally, the C-TIP Unit will be facilitating a vox populi “TIP In the Streets” initiative on Tuesday, which will see members of the public sharing their views on TIP-related issues in Guyana. The exercise will also include an education and awareness aspect, where the C-TIP team dissemination of information and encourage persons to make reports of any suspected TIP activity.

A live Facebook panel discussion on “COVID-19 and its Impact on Trafficking in Persons and the Migrant Population in Guyana,” will be held on Wednesday on the ministry’s Facebook page beginning from 10:00hrs. Panellists for the discussion will include representatives from the C-TIP Unit; the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Ministerial Task Force on TIP and Department of Citizenship.
There will then be a ZOOM C-TIP Virtual Discussion on July 30 from 15:00hrs, where the opportunities of expanding psychosocial support and shelter for victims in outlying regions will be discussed. The discussion, which is expected to run for 45 mins, will also be aired for the public on the ministry’s Facebook page.

Members of the ZOOM panel is expected to include members from the C-TIP Unit, the TIP National Task Force and IOM. The activities will culminate on Friday, July 31, with a hamper distribution to TIP survivors.
Though TIP is a growing issue in Guyana, the country continues to maintain a Tier One ranking in the annual US State Department’s 2020 TIP Report, given that the country has fully met the minimum standards for the elimination of TIP, and demonstrates serious and sustained efforts to address the social issue.