The Republic of Moldova has made progress in fighting human trafficking but must strengthen child protection and ensure justice for victims, according to a report released today by the Council of Europe‘s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), according to the original press release. The findings show that while Moldova has built stronger laws and policies, the country still struggles to identify victims and prosecute traffickers effectively. Over five years, authorities identified 935 people who had been trafficked, with most forced into labor rather than sexual exploitation.
Moldova finds itself caught between being a country that exports victims and one that attracts them. Most Moldovans end up exploited in EU nations and Russia, but foreign workers are increasingly being trafficked within Moldova’s own borders. The government rolled out a new action plan last year targeting the most at-risk groups – children, people looking for work abroad, Ukrainian refugees, and migrant workers.
Men made up 60% of trafficking victims, while children accounted for 15% of cases. Roma kids, street children, and those living in state care face the highest danger. GRETA wants authorities to check residential institutions more often and give vulnerable families better support. The report calls for officials to “step up their efforts to prevent child trafficking by regularly inspecting residential institutions and providing social and economic support to vulnerable children.”
Labor inspectors can’t properly identify trafficking victims, partly because they’re not allowed to make surprise workplace visits. Meanwhile, fewer trafficking cases are being investigated and prosecuted than before. Moldova did open its first shelter specifically for male victims, but survivors still can’t easily get jobs, healthcare, or compensation for what happened to them.
The evaluation highlights Moldova’s mixed record – genuine policy improvements overshadowed by implementation gaps that leave victims vulnerable. GRETA’s recommendations focus on training more professionals, expanding victim services, and ensuring survivors can access meaningful compensation for their suffering.
