HOST

Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality sector

HOST aims to prevent and combat sexual and labour exploitation of third-country nationals in the hospitality sector, particularly in highly touristic areas

GA number: 101199010

Funded by: AMIF      Duration:  01/06/2025 – 31/05/2027


Challenge

Trafficking in human beings—particularly for labour exploitation—is rising sharply across Europe. In 2022 alone, more than 10,000 victims were officially registered, marking a 41% increase compared to the previous year (Eurostat, 2024).

A closer look reveals that certain sectors are more vulnerable than others. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the hospitality industry is among those at highest risk, falling within the broader “services” category, which accounts for 32% of all forced labour cases globally.

In this context, more efforts are needed to enhance labour conditions in the sector and improve identification mechanisms. Key challenges include inadequate detection systems—especially in hospitality—limited access to legal and reintegration support for victims, and insufficient coordination, awareness, and stakeholder engagement to prevent and respond effectively to trafficking.

Innovation

HOST focuses on addressing trafficking in the hospitality sector by uniting local authorities, labour inspectorates, trade unions, migrant communities, and NGOs. The project raises awareness about the demand behind exploitation, strengthens victim identification through improved inspection mechanisms and employer cooperation, and provides tailored support that meets the specific needs of each victim. It also promotes long-term integration to reduce the risk of re-trafficking.

Action

Hospitality employers will acquire skills and knowledge to successfully address the risks of labour exploitation and trafficking within their businesses. Specifically, they will learn how to spot early signs of trafficking, improve their workplace policies, and strengthen protections for their workers through targeted seminars held in each partner country.

Migrant workers will learn to understand their rights, identify signs of labour exploitation—including online recruitment scams—and take action to protect themselves. Through these workshops, they’ll also share experiences and propose ways to improve recruitment practices and working conditions in the hospitality sector.

Selected municipal staff will receive training to improve their ability to identify trafficking victims and provide timely support. This includes developing clear procedures and mapping local resources to ensure victims can be referred to appropriate services quickly and effectively.

After multi-stakeholder workshops, formal collaboration agreements will be signed between local authorities, trade unions, employers, and civil society organizations. These agreements commit all parties to work together actively to prevent trafficking and protect victims, with businesses encouraged to publicly share their commitment.

Adult victims will have access to legal assistance, interpretation, and help with administrative tasks like opening bank accounts or obtaining residence permits. This holistic care aims to help survivors rebuild their lives safely and reduce the risk of being trafficked again.

50 victims of human trafficking will receive legal support legal support and representation to presumed and identified adult TCN victims of THB. Legal support might focus on providing advice on terms and conditions of employment, representation in relation to penal, asylum and civil cases and most importantly on accessing compensation or even representation at court depending on each case (including formal recognition of a victim status).

50 victims will receive assistance with bureaucratic procedures such as opening bank accounts, submitting tax declarations, solving issues with social security and residence permits etc. Each case will be treated differently depending on their needs through the use of cultural mediators / interpreters (if needed).

One online event will be organised with 40 – 50 participants to enrich the dialogue between the interconnection of THB and the online sphere and how the Digital Service Act could support the fight against THB, specifically on hospitality sector. Special focus will be given in the recruitment and how online technology is used to identify and target potential victims, lure them into exploitative situations, exploit them and keep them trapped.

At least 25 networking initiatives will be organized. The HOST project will identify and liaise with existing networks and initiatives working on THB, especially on the hospitality sector. Aim of the networking activities will be to exchange project results with audience that works on similar challenges and can benefit from HOST achievements, to learn from other thematic initiatives and to join forces. The networking activities will comprise, inter alia, periodic bilateral exchange of news and results and common dissemination actions such as joint presence in events or organization of common events.

A final 1-day conference will be held in Amsterdam with the aim to inform relevant stakeholders about the outcomes and results of the project and to promote the mainstreaming of the project outputs (approx. 60 participants). The Conference will include a policy roundtable with EU stakeholders. The policy recommendations will be presented and feedback will be incorporated.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Project Partners

KMOP (Coordinator), Greece
CESIE ETS, Italy
Fundación Solidaridad Amaranta, Spain
Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Greece
Stichting Fairwork, The Netherlands
Step Up Stop Slavery, Cyprus
The International la Strada Association, The Netherlands
Greek Forum of Refugees, Greece
Associazione dei Comuni Siciliani, Italy

 

Leave a comment
or ask for help