Discussion document

The discussion document notes that a plan of action would provide an overarching framework for New Zealand's anti-trafficking strategies and would set out short, medium and long term goals and responsibilities. The document describes the key steps to developing the plan of action and provides examples of indicators that could be used to monitor its effectiveness.

Submitters were asked what additional factors should be measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of action, and for any further comments.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the plan

Additional factors to be measured

Several submitters identify additional measures for monitoring the effectiveness of the plan of action. These are as follows:

• whether there have been behavioural changes in individuals and relevant sectors of the community, for example, a change in consumer habits and the adoption of codes of industry codes of conduct
• whether the specific goals set out in the plan of action have been achieved, for example, whether new laws have been passed
• whether there is an improvement in social and economic conditions in source countries, for example, whether development projects have helped alleviate poverty, or minimum labour standards have been adopted and enforced
• whether the number of estimated victims of people trafficking has decreased
• whether the number of successful prosecutions of offenders has increased
• reported cases of abuse
• number of overstayers reported
• changes in the level of awareness about the human rights issues faced by trafficked people
• the human rights impacts of anti-trafficking laws, policies, programmes and interventions
• the appropriateness and accessibility of services available for victims of people trafficking
• improved understanding about those groups most likely to be vulnerable to people trafficking to, from or through New Zealand
• whether responsible departments have incorporated specific provisions and guidelines to responding to people trafficking (or potential people trafficking) into procedural guidelines and training programmes.

One submitter comments that indicators could be reframed in terms of specific benchmarks or targeted to be achieved during the life of the term, and suggests that a workshop on monitoring and evaluation be held with selected stakeholders to develop these targets.

Other information required

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions considers there would be value in greater aggregation of evidence of exploitation of migrant workers in general.

It is unclear how much of this information is collected, but doing so would build a better picture of where exploitation is most extreme. [New Zealand Council of Trade Unions]

Other submitters comment that research and information is required to identify issues that lead to repeat trafficking, and on how well victims granted the right to remain in New Zealand embrace our way of life. Another submitter suggests that there be monitoring of immigration officials to make sure they are not breaching the rules.

Other submitter comments are that:

• benchmark data needs to be identified to enable evaluation of the plan's effectiveness
• there should be measurement over time, including information from past victims through follow ups
• near-real-time gathering of field data is required.

Responsibility for monitoring and evaluation

One submitter comments that a lead agency needs to be appointed to undertake monitoring and evaluation, and for funding to be committed for this purpose, if a national plan of action is to be effective. Other submitters refer to the need for an inter-agency body to monitor the effectiveness of the plan and for regular review.

The Human Rights Commission comments that it has a role in monitoring the human rights impacts of anti-trafficking laws, policies and interventions.

This includes a focus on their effectiveness in preventing and combating trafficking, protecting and supporting victims of trafficking, and promoting cooperation between States on trafficking issues. [Human Rights Commission]

Further comments on the plan of actionCoordination and information sharing

A number of submitters identify a need for coordination of New Zealand's anti-trafficking initiatives and mechanisms to facilitate the sharing of information between agencies.

Reviews of anti-people trafficking measures have shown that when there a number of different organisations dealing with these issues, often in very different ways with different priorities, their efforts can conflict with or negate each other. We submit that a key objective for the Plan of Action should be to coordinate these efforts and encourage cooperation and knowledge sharing between the different sectors involved in combating people trafficking. [World Vision New Zealand]

The action plan should also contain measures for NGOs to network and share their experience and knowledge relating to people trafficking, and measures to content with it. There should be provision for regular monitoring of these measures against international best practice, and provision for regular workshops, or a forum, at which views could be shared and exchanged. [Anglican Action]

Some submitters propose that there be multi-agency oversight of the plan of action, including coordination of specific initiatives and information sharing.

Funding to support the plan of action

A number of submitters comment that funding needs to be allocated to support the plan of action so that anti-trafficking measures can be successfully implemented. Specific reference is made to funding for:

• research and information gathering
• awareness raising campaigns
• training initiatives
• development of protocols for handling any possible cases of people trafficking
• overseas development projects
• existing NGO projects
• support services for victims
• monitoring and evaluation.

The discussion papers indicate that non-governmental organisations have an important role to play in supporting the government in measures to contend with people trafficking. In our view the plan of action must ensure that the NGOs are adequately funded and resources to undertake this important work. This funding should enable organisations to make provision for the training of staff in issues related to people trafficking, and to develop protocols for the management of any cases which come to the attention of an NGO. [Anglican Action]

Next steps in developing the plan of action

Some submitters comment on the next steps in developing the plan of action:

• Some comment that the plan of action should contact specific goals, actions for achieving those goals, timeframes and a framework to monitor implementation and outcomes.
• Some consider that the plan of action should be developed in consultation with other stakeholders, including NGOs and/or that there should be a further opportunity to comment on the draft plan once it has been prepared.
• The Human Rights Commission notes that it will be difficult to involve trafficked persons directly in the development of the plan and comment that "all attempts should be made to both draw from documented accounts of the issues trafficked people face, and to promote New Zealand's ongoing consultation process within industries and communities where there is a higher risk of trafficking."
• Some submitters comment on the need to develop and implement the plan of action "without delay."