Participants, facilitators and members of the Ministry of National Security pose for a group shot at the close of the IOM facilitated workshop on Thursday

St. John’s Antigua- Minister of National Security and Labour Dr Errol Cort, during the closing ceremony of the “Trainers Session: Sensitising Peers about Human Trafficking” workshop on Thursday, called for the mounting of a Caribbean Conference on Human Trafficking.  He also volunteered Antigua & Barbuda as host of the proposed conference.

Dr Cort also announced that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) would soon mount a labour migration study in Antigua.

According to Dr Cort, the proposed conference would feature discussions on the challenges that the region faces as a result of human trafficking, as well as the much-needed dialogue on the issue at the highest level.

During his remarks, Dr Cort focused on the victims of human trafficking, saying that there was a need to reorient our thinking and view of persons who are victims of trafficking and there was a need to put measures in place to look after these victims.

IOM Regional Coordination Officer Rui Oliveira Reis, in his remarks, said that the IOM recognised that Antigua & Barbuda is committed to combating human trafficking, and as such, they have seen significant progress on the island. He said the IOM would continue to support the island in this area, as well as other areas such as boarder management control and labour and migration.

The workshop, held by the Immigration Department in collaboration with the IOM, focused on training local trainers who would then be able to train their peers and members of the community in the fight against human trafficking.

Chissey Mueller, IOM facilitator for the workshop, had positive reviews of the three-day session, saying that weaknesses were improved upon and strengths enhanced.