Awareness training on the identification and prevention of human trafficking for actors in the field of aviation

There is no one single profile for victims of human trafficking. Trafficking victims can represent any nationality, age, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic group.

Identifying a victim of human trafficking can be difficult. You can try to identify victims e.g. with the help of the following signs:

• travels with little or no baggage or only a few items packed in plastic bags
• avoids eye contact
• a group of people whose check-in is handled by one member of the group, especially if the group consists of women and children in unclean clothing, and the person performing the check-in does not know their names
• signs of physical abuse or having been tied up
• malnourishment or poor hygiene
• intoxication or extreme tiredness
• untreated illnesses or injuries
• persons who are never left alone and who behave as though they are being controlled, do not go even to the toilet alone
• persons who are monitored in the departure lounge and are unable to move freely
• inappropriate clothing, especially if a person is travelling with a notably better-dressed person or the clothing does not fit the weather conditions
• person travelling with an older ‘boyfriend’ or older men (or women)
• persons who are treated with contempt or aggression
• person who does not know where they currently are or where they are coming from
• fearfulness, anxiety, tension, resignation or nervousness
• suspicious tattoos or signs, especially on women and children.

Just like there is no one single profile for victims of human trafficking, human traffickers can also:

• be men or women
• travel with groups of children, men or women
• control a mixed group of people
• keep a close eye on their travelling companion in check-in, security check or border control
• be older persons pretending to be the boyfried or girlfriend of an underaged person
• pretend to be a child’s relative or guardian.

If you suspect a possible case of human trafficking, you can use the following general questions to help you where possible:

• Where are you coming from?
• Is someone helping you enter the country by paying for your ticket?
• How did you find out about this job?
• Did someone help you get this job?
• What have you been told about your future job?

Principle of doing no harm

• Discuss and provide information subtly and without attracting attention.
• Do not try to talk to the trafficker.
• Do not try to save the victim.
• Act normally. Show no unusual worry or restlessness.

Seeing the signs can mean that you are witnessing a case of human trafficking. However, there is no single checklist to prove human trafficking is taking place. Your role is to reasonably deduce whether a person is a possible victim of human trafficking, so that you can act according to the process of the authorities or your employer.

• If possible, discuss the matter with your supervisor or colleague to get an extensive assessment.
• If your workplace provides specific instructions on how to act in cases of suspected human trafficking and how to report them, follow the instructions.
• At Helsinki Airport, you must notify the security control room or the authorities.
• At other airports, report the matter using the emergency telephone number 112.

The Human Trafficking in Finland training produced by the Regional State Administrative Agency teaches you the following:

• what human trafficking is and what forms it takes
• how to identify a possible victim of human trafficking, encounter them in the best possible manner and guide them to help
• how human trafficking and forced labour appear in Finnish working life
• what are the key bodies fighting human trafficking in Finland.

Go to eOppiva to take the Human Trafficking in Finland training (available in Finnish)

Helping system for victims of human trafficking: Human trafficking

Ministry of the Interior: Trafficking in human beings

Ministry of the Interior: Work Help Finland mobile application

Police: Trafficking in human beings

United Nations: Human Trafficking

International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO: Trafficking in Persons

International Air Transport Association (IATA): Human Trafficking

The International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations issuing both standards and recommendations. As a member state of the ICAO, Finland complies with the standards and is committed to promoting compliance with ICAO recommendations.

In Annex 9 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation pertaining to the facilitation of aviation, point 8.48 states that contracting states should take measures to ensure that airport and aircraft operators’ personnel in direct contact with the travelling public are provided with awareness training on trafficking in persons.

An intersectoral action plan to prevent and decrease human trafficking and to improve the position of victims has been drawn up under the leadership of the Finnish Government’s anti-trafficking coordinator. The preparation has involved cooperation between several ministries and other authorities and organisations. The action plan includes several actions.

Coordinating action number 9 falls under the responsibility of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The action requires that we develop training materials on the identification and prevention of human trafficking for actors in the field of aviation.