The European Commission has unveiled a new strategy to combat human trafficking, which includes the establishment of a European coalition of businesses aimed at reducing exploitation risks and facilitating faster identification of trafficking cases. This strategy also highlights the need for enhanced cooperation among labor inspectors across EU member states through the European Labor Authority (ELA). In 2023 and 2024, over 20,000 victims of human trafficking were reported in the EU, marking a 16.1% increase compared to the previous two-year period.
The coalition of businesses is a significant aspect of this strategy, which was introduced on October 16, aiming to more effectively address exploitation related to labor, online recruitment, and the increasing cross-border nature of trafficking networks. By engaging the private sector, the Commission hopes companies can help identify risks during processes like recruitment, contract work, and supply chains where signs of trafficking may be overlooked by authorities.
Combined with this initiative, the strategy emphasizes the importance of labor inspections. The Commission has committed to support member states in enhancing the collaboration between labor inspectors through the ELA, particularly in cases of labor exploitation, where victim identification can occur during workplace inspections before law enforcement or prosecutors become involved.
The ELA already has experience facilitating cooperation among national authorities in cross-border cases, addressing labor exploitation directly. While the new strategy does not redefine ELA as a replacement for national authorities, it aims to enhance support and facilitate necessary cooperation across borders to combat human trafficking issues more effectively.
The Commission’s approach stems from evolving trafficking trends. The number of identified and registered victims in the EU has risen sharply, with notable increases reflecting both the scale of exploitation and the efforts of authorities to detect and report victims. Importantly, exploitation extends far beyond sexual trafficking; it covers forced labor, forced begging, and other forms of abuse. The linkage to technology is increasingly apparent, as traffickers leverage online platforms and digital tools for recruitment, control, and manipulation of their victims.
One of the strategy’s primary goals is to improve the use of technology in preventing, detecting, and investigating trafficking cases. Authorities are urged to keep pace with the digital methods traffickers employ, including the utilization of artificial intelligence. Although the strategy does not create new laws specifically tied to AI, it prioritizes the investigation of digital environments as an operational focus.
Another vital aspect of the strategy targets the dismantling of transnational organized crime networks associated with trafficking. The Commission encourages closer police cooperation, intelligence-driven investigations, and the tracking of financial flows to recover assets. The logic behind this is that addressing individual exploitation cases alone is insufficient if criminal structures and recruitment mechanisms remain intact.
Furthermore, the strategy highlights risks associated with migration routes. Data indicates that while 36% of trafficked victims are EU citizens, 64% are from outside the Union, emphasizing the need for vulnerability identification at key points, such as border procedures and screening measures.
Finally, in light of various crises, the Commission plans to develop operational guidelines to manage trafficking risks during such situations, drawing on insights from anti-trafficking efforts related to the Ukraine conflict.
In Romania, human trafficking remains a pressing concern. The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons reported 707 victims in 2025, an increase from 610 in 2024. The nature of exploitation in Romania reflects broader European trends, necessitating specific interventions to address the unique challenges posed by both labor trafficking and online recruitment practices.
This new strategy follows a comprehensive review of EU anti-trafficking legislation, which was amended in 2024 to address emerging forms of trafficking, such as surrogacy exploitation and forced marriages. Member states have until July 15, 2026, to integrate these changes into their national laws. The strategy does not replace this directive but outlines the Commission’s priorities moving forward, including collaborations with businesses, labor inspectors, EU agencies, and international organizations. Discussions regarding the strategy will take place in the European Parliament and Council, involving consultations with national coordinators and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
