Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - China - Macau Special Administrative Region (Ratification: 1999)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee notes the comprehensive information provided by the Government on the measures taken to address trafficking in persons for both sexual and labour exploitation, as well as to protect and assist victims. The Committee notes, in particular, the several measures adopted in the context of the five-year action plan to combat trafficking (2010–15), including international and inter-agency cooperation agreements signed with the Government of Mongolia (2010), the International Organization for Migration (2011) and between the Public Security Police, the Macao Customs and the Judiciary Police. With regard to the cooperation agreement signed with the Government of Mongolia, the Committee notes that the parties agreed on protective measures targeting trafficking victims, especially women and children, which include measures to ensure victims’ access to the necessary legal assistance and compensation, as well as social reintegration and repatriation.

As regards awareness-raising initiatives, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the activities targeted at government institutions and civil society organizations likely to be in contact with victims and potential victims. Additionally, the Government continues to promote awareness of the general public through campaigns in different media and in schools. The Government also indicates that, in 2013, the Legal Affairs Bureau organized briefings for migrant workers, domestic workers and staff of job placement agencies on the rights of workers and employers, which included information on forced labour and prevention measures.

With regard to capacity-building activities, the Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government on the number of individuals, including law enforcement officials, who benefitted from training on the identification, prevention and prosecution of trafficking. The Government also indicates that, in spite of its efforts to strengthen the capacity of relevant authorities and raise the awareness of the general public, law enforcement officials continue to face difficulties in gathering reliable evidence, including due to a lack of cooperation of victims and witnesses.

In relation to the application in practice of Law No. 6 of 2008 on combating trafficking in persons and section 153-A of the Penal Code criminalizing the practice, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that three court decisions were handed down between 2010 and 2012. The Committee also notes that, in this period, nine perpetrators were sanctioned with penalties between three and 13 years’ imprisonment. The Committee encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to prevent, suppress and combat trafficking in persons, both for sexual and labour exploitation. The Committee also strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to provide protection and assistance to all victims of trafficking and to continue to provide information in this regard. Please also continue to provide information with regard to the investigations carried out, the court decisions handed down and the penalties imposed.