While Guyana meets the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, the US State Department’s annual report yesterday said that it did not vet labour agreements with China and Cuba for trafficking vulnerabilities.
Guyana maintained its tier 1 status and the report said that the government constructed a care home for child migrants, including child trafficking victims; identified more victims and referred them to services; granted more victims residency and work permits; hired more English-Spanish interpreters and other additional staff; and undertook extensive awareness campaigns and training.
“Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not vet labor agreements with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Cuban governments for trafficking vulnerabilities, adequately screen PRC and Cuban workers for trafficking indicators, or conduct sufficient inspections of these nationals’ worksites. The government did not adequately oversee recruitment agencies, prevent worker-paid recruitment and placement fees, or adequately screen for trafficking victims in the interior of the country”.
