National Security Minister Brig John Sandy yesterday admitted that there were incidents of human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, they were unsubstantiated because of the absence of legislation.
Addressing the Senate on the Human Trafficking Bill, he explained that reports obtained from the International Organisation of Immigration (IOM) indicated that last year there were six cases of human trafficking compared to 11 cases in 2009.
"There have also been reports circulating through the foreign media concerning the alleged trafficking of their nationals to Trinidad and Tobago.
"If these reports are accurate, this would reflect a disturbing and disheartening reality. However, statistics regarding the number of cases are not substantiated as there is currently no official centre (to track it)," he said.
With a lack of requisite legislation to prosecute offenders of this crime, Sandy said it opened this country up to international scrutiny.
In fact, he said in 2009, Trinidad and Tobago was placed in tier two of the Trafficking in Persons Report 2009â€â€US Department of State for failing to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
The report added that the Trinidadian Government made limited efforts to assist trafficking victims during the reporting period, relying on international organisations and NGOs to provide care and services for identified victims.
Sandy added that globally, it has become common for governments to add departments, desks, committees and task forces to identify and formulate strategies to identify and prosecute traffickers and improve the treatment of victims.
"We are proposing that two bodies be legislatively established to perform vigilante functions related to our legal and moral obligations.
"These are the national task force which is the focus of part one and the counter trafficking unit, which is the subject of part three of this law, clause five establishes a task force which is to be known as the national task force against persons," he said.
