OSCE supports Albania in strengthening response to labour exploitation trafficking

Trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation remains one of the most complex and least visible forms of trafficking. Strengthening the capacity of the State Labour Inspectorate to detect early indicators, ensure compliance with labour standards and support co-ordinated responses is key to protecting workers’ rights and improving labour market governance in line with national priorities.

To support these efforts, on 27 March 2026, the OSCE Presence in Albania, the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Albanian State Labour Inspectorate organized a roundtable with representatives from institutions, the private sector and civil society.

“Human trafficking for labour exploitation is no longer just a legal concern – it is becoming a question of market access as Albania integrates more deeply into the European market. As growth continues, it is essential to strengthen protections for workers, including migrant workers,” said Kari Johnstone, the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

Participants discussed practical approaches to improving inspections and promoting dialogue with businesses on responsible practices to prevent exploitation, in particular of migrant workers. 

“Albania is becoming an important destination for tourism while attracting a growing foreign labour force, creating both opportunities and responsibilities,” said Clarisse Pasztory, Deputy Head of the OSCE Presence.

In recent years, the Albanian State Labour Inspectorate has strengthened its proactive role in preventing trafficking for labour exploitation. The OSCE Presence is supporting the Inspectorate to further integrate trafficking-related risk indicators into inspection practice and reinforce its contribution to early identification and prevention of labour exploitation. 

“The role of the labour inspection is becoming more crucial with increased mobility and migration. Inspection is not just a checklist, but a process requiring skills to detect trafficking indicators,” said Eljo Muçaj, Chief Labour Inspector of Albania.

The roundtable was held under the Presence’s project “Strengthening Albania’s law-enforcement and prosecution capacities and multi-agency co-operation in combatting trafficking in human beings”, funded by the United Kingdom, Norway, Ireland and Italy.