Brussels, 3 June 2022
Access to the labour market, health, social care and education for those enjoying temporary protection in accordance with Council Directive 2011/55/EC and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382, as well as for those enjoying adequate protection under national law, helps reducing the vulnerability of persons fleeing Ukraine.
The Commission issued operational guidelines on the implementation of this Decision, and the Communication on Welcoming those fleeing war in Ukraine sets out prevention and assistance measures. A Commission webpage for persons fleeing Ukraine includes advice on how to avoid becoming victims of trafficking.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Commission has worked on measures intended to reduce the vulnerability of persons fleeing the war. The EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator works closely with the EU Network of National Rapporteurs on Trafficking in Human Beings and the EU Civil Society Platform with a view to preventing human trafficking and protecting persons fleeing Ukraine.
On 11 May 2022, the Solidarity Platform endorsed a Common Anti-trafficking Plan developed under the lead of the EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator. The Plan sets forward five goals: strengthening awareness raising; reinforcing prevention; enhancing the law enforcement and judicial response; improving early identification, support and protection of victims; and addressing the risks of trafficking in non-EU countries, especially Ukraine and Moldova.
The 2011 Anti-trafficking Directive provides a framework to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings and to protect the victims of this crime. The provisions of this Directive are applicable also to persons fleeing Ukraine.
Source: European Commission