Update on Human Trafficking Situation in Singapore and Measures to Deter Offences
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns an update requested by Mr Christopher de Souza on the human trafficking situation and the measures taken to identify and apprehend masterminds. Minister K Shanmugam stated the situation is under control, citing border detection, community partnerships, and regular enforcement by the Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Police Force. He highlighted that frontline officers receive specialized training to identify trafficking indicators and ensure effective responses to potential cases. Of the 129 cases investigated over the past five years, two were substantiated and prosecuted under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act and the Women's Charter. Minister K Shanmugam added that investigations into these cases found no evidence of organized crime or masterminds operating within Singapore.
Transcript
6 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the human trafficking situation in Singapore including labour trafficking and sex trafficking; and (b) what further steps are being taken to deter such offences.
7 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he can provide an update on the measures that have been taken to identify and apprehend the masterminds behind human trafficking in Singapore.
Mr K Shanmugam: We have put in place measures at the border to try to detect human trafficking activity.
The various agencies also work with community partners, such as non-governmental organisations, to raise awareness of human trafficking and the available reporting channels.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) regularly conduct enforcement checks in areas where victims of human trafficking may be operating. Frontline officers undergo training on anti-trafficking laws and human trafficking indicators, so that they can effectively detect and respond to human trafficking cases.
The human trafficking situation in Singapore is under control. In the past five years, MOM and SPF have investigated 129 cases where signs of human trafficking were detected. Two cases were found to be substantiated and prosecuted under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (PHTA). One case was eventually convicted under the PHTA and the other case under the Women's Charter. The investigations did not find evidence of organised crime in these cases.