The Worker Support Centre (WSC) welcomes this new strategy which places prevention at the heart of Scotland’s Human Trafficking response. If its words are translated into deeds, it will represent a significant step forward in tackling human trafficking in Scotland.
As an organisation that has human trafficking prevention at our core, WSC stands ready to help deliver on this strategy. This plan recognises the significance of intervening early to prevent exploitation before it takes place, underlining the strong need for partnership to achieve its aims.
WSC has identified high risks for workers in both agriculture and social care and are pleased that this strategy recognises these risks and commits to tackling them at the local, national and international level.
In 2024 agricultural workers met Ministers and officials in the Scottish Government to share the workplace risks they face and to call for a joined-up government response. So it is significant that this strategy not only seeks to understand how to prevent trafficking, but also underlines the value of worker and survivor expertise.
This strategy comes as we approach the tenth anniversary of Scotland’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act this October. WSC believes this is an ideal time to take a fresh approach, informed by workers, with prevention at its core.