Anti-trafficking Action, From dreams to debt and exploitation: the untold story of 11 trafficked workers in Serbia

By ASTRA – Anti-trafficking Action
  This report by ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action, details a suspected case of labour exploitation involving 11 Indian workers contracted by China Energy Engineering Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction Co. LTD's Belgrade branch in Zrenjanin, Serbia. ASTRA began assisting the workers in late January 2024 after being contacted by the workers. Within a month, on February 11th, the workers left Serbia abruptly. Despite the short timeframe, ASTRA collected significant evidence, including documents, footage, and testimonials from the workers. This report, available in both a short and longer version, serves a dual purpose: I. Warning Sign: To highlight concerning practices towards migrant workers seeking decent employment in Serbia. II. State Response Evaluation: To assess the state institutions' reactions or lack thereof regarding this case. This incident reflects a broader trend. Similar cases involving foreign workers have emerged in Serbia over the past five years, often sharing common recruitment and employment elements. These cases also reveal evolving trends in exploitation methods and concerning gaps in the state's response. Serbia's growing foreign workforce requires a clear, competent framework to address human and labour rights violations effectively, for both foreign and domestic workers.

Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, ASTRA, 2024. 36p.