Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Ratification: 1998)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. 1. Trafficking in persons. The Committee notes from the information available on the website of the Ministry of Legal Affairs (Chambers of the Attorney General) that the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011, which criminalizes trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual or labour exploitation, was amended by the Prevention of trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act, 2023, with regard to the penalties for offences set out in the legislation (imprisonment from twelve to fifteen years). The Committee observes that Part III of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011 outlines ways and modes of assistance of the victims of trafficking in persons, and Part V provides for the establishment of a national task force against the trafficking of persons. According to the official information available, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons unit (ATIPU) of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has developed a strategic and national action plan that enables the safeguarding and assistance of victims of trafficking. The plan was reviewed by the Cabinet in 2021 and will expire in 2025.

The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to implement the national action plan as well as on the activities of the National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons to prevent and combat trafficking in persons and to ensure that victims receive adequate protection, as provided for in the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2011. The Committee also request the Government to provide information on the action of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU) in relation to the detection and investigation of cases of trafficking for both labour and sexual exploitation. Please indicate whether any convictions have been handed down and, if so, what penalties were imposed.