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Police and authorities in a number of European countries have carried out a joint crackdown on human exploitation. In Sweden, more than 1,600 checks were carried out.
The international effort, which was led by France, was carried out during the period 13 to 21 September and targeted employers in the green industry, including in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Authorities from 17 countries participated, also Europol and the EU’s employment agency ELA participated in the effort. A total of 38 people were arrested. In addition, 1,583 people who may have been exposed to human exploitation were identified. Of those, 353 people may be victims of trafficking.
In Sweden, the effort was carried out within the collaboration of authorities against workplace crime. A total of 1,616 checks were carried out around the country by the police, the Work Environment Agency and the Equality Authority.
Two people are suspected at the same time that seven potential victims of human exploitation have been identified in Sweden.
– It is in the berry industry and park maintenance. I don’t know if anyone has been arrested, says Malin Leo Leander, the police coordinator for the operation.
She says that the people who may have been subjected to human exploitation have been offered support and help.
THE FACTS The countries that participated in the operation
The following countries participated in the operation: France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Albania, Moldova, United Kingdom and Ukraine.
Source: Europol
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