Taxi drivers to help prevent human trafficking

A series of training programs to encourage taxi drivers to help prevent human trafficking has been conducted by the ILO. The training brought together 130 airport taxi drivers, 125 three-wheeler drivers and 125 taxi cab drivers.

The rationale for the program was that taxi drivers, through the nature of their job, come into contact with offenders and victims of trafficking and as such, can help law enforcement authorities by reporting such cases.

The training was designed to increase the reporting of cases and to support effective investigations and successful prosecutions. It is also expected that program participants will help to increase awareness about safe migration and trafficking prevention in their communities.

It included sessions on human trafficking, child trafficking,relevant national laws and penalties, the investigation and reporting of cases, legal recruitment and safe migration for foreign employment. During an interactive case study group session the participants roll-played situations in which they could support law enforcement.

The training was organised by the ILO's Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Project, in Negombo and Colombo in May 2012. The program was planned in collaboration with the 'Airport Express Union', and Kangaroo Cabs (Pvt) Ltd., Nano Cabs (Pvt) Ltd, Budget Taxi, Romaka (Pvt) Ltd, Fair Taxi (Pvt) Ltd, and Quick Cabs (Pvt) Ltd. Resource persons included representatives from the Police, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).