Crackdown on Labor Exploitation

In a major operation against labor exploitation across Europe, 54 individuals have been arrested for a range of crimes, including human trafficking. This action is part of the EMPACT Joint Action Days, focusing on the agricultural sector, gastronomy, and temporary work agencies, particularly targeting the exploitation of non-EU nationals and refugees. The operation was led by France and the Netherlands and involved 32 countries with the support of Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA).

During this extensive action, 404 potential victims of human trafficking were identified, highlighting the pervasive issue of labor exploitation in various industries. A staggering 194,995 entities were checked, which included individuals, locations, vehicles, and documents, revealing the vast scope of the operation. The collaborative effort involved 22,296 officers from law enforcement, border guards, and labor and tax authorities. Additionally, 341 new investigations have been launched, underscoring the ongoing commitment to combating this form of modern slavery.

The operation uncovered various modus operandi used in trafficking and exploitation, such as discrepancies between payments and working hours, violations of minimum wage laws, undeclared work, and poor living conditions provided by employers. Highlight cases from Spain, Hungary, and Ukraine provide specific examples of the exploitation encountered, ranging from inhumane living conditions to forced labor without contracts. This operation not only led to significant arrests and victim identifications but also enhanced international cooperation and awareness of the indicators of human trafficking.