PNG has been ranked in the third tier in the 2016 Human Trafficking Report, which means there is still work to be done to address issues in the country.
The U.S. Embassy, along with the National Human Trafficking Committee, has developed a national action plan, waiting approval by Parliament.
Once the plan is endorsed on the floor of Parliament and takes effect, there will be standard operating procedures, and responsible authorities hope PNG will improve in ranking in terms of human trafficking.
Trafficking in general involves the act which is the recruitment, transportation or transferring of persons by means of force or threat for the purpose of exploitation, including prostitution, forced labour and sex and domestic servitude or slavery.
The International Organisation for Migration and Department of Justice and Attorney General conducted a series of training on “Victim identification and SOP implementation”.
Commitment from stakeholders to use the knowledge gained in trainings to practical use stands as the number one recommendation from IOM in addressing trafficking in persons in PNG, especially to do with early and “forced marriages” in PNG culture.
The national action plan sets out guidelines for IOM and DJAG, working in collaboration with NGO stakeholders with representatives from the Salvation Army, FHI 360 and Wantok Counselling hotline, among others.