Latest news and stories about human trafficking in legal in Portugal for expats and residents.
A report by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Grupo de Peritos sobre a Ação contra o Tráfico de Seres Humanos or GRETA) warns that migrant workers in the agricultural sector are at high risk of exploitation. Between 2021 and 2024, authorities recorded 690 presumed victims, leading experts to call for stronger labor inspections and better victim support.
The Beja Court (Tribunal de Beja) has begun the trial of 22 defendants, including seven companies, accused of exploiting immigrants in the Alentejo region. Although the original 55 counts of human trafficking (tráfico de pessoas) were dropped before the trial, defendants still face charges related to illegal weapons and drug trafficking. Those following labor rights in the agricultural sector should note the case stems from a major 2022 investigation into seasonal worker conditions.
A survivor of a brutal attack reveals that four immigrants were held in forced labor conditions, working in crop harvesting under the threat of violence before being burned alive.
The Beja Court has sentenced five individuals to prison terms of up to six and a half years for the exploitation of immigrants in the Alentejo region, while 17 others were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Human trafficking victims who commit crimes under duress from their exploiters may no longer be punished. The Government's proposal moves to the committee stage, but has already raised concerns regarding data protection.
The Council of Europe is releasing a new report this morning on the reality of human trafficking in Portugal.
A report highlights the increased vulnerability of migrant agricultural workers to human trafficking and exploitation within the Portuguese sector.
According to a Council of Europe report, 250 cases of trafficking victims were confirmed in Portugal between 2021 and 2024. Improvements are needed in their identification and in ensuring access to compensation.
Between 2021 and 2024, 250 cases of human trafficking victims were confirmed, including 39 children. The data comes from the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The Council of Europe urges the country to improve legal support and compensation for victims. It also states that the end of 'manifestations of interest' could increase the risk of labour exploitation for immigrants and limit their access to education, healthcare, and adequate working conditions.
The legislative proposal presented by the Government was approved by the Council of Ministers and transposes a European directive related to the prevention of the fight against human trafficking and the protection of victims.
The Portuguese government will appoint a national coordinator to oversee efforts against human trafficking.
The victim, lured with the promise of a minimum wage, was kept isolated, without her passport, and with her phone monitored.
The victim was lured from Angola to Portugal with a job offer to care for children and a salary equivalent to the minimum wage, promises that were not fulfilled.
The Judiciary Police arrested a woman in Oeiras on Friday, May 29, on suspicion of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. According to the police, the Portuguese suspect lured a foreign woman from Angola to Portugal to work as a nanny for the national minimum wage. Once in Portugal, the victim was allegedly forced to perform continuous domestic work without a contract, fixed hours, or regular pay, while being kept in a state of vulnerability and isolation. The suspect also reportedly controlled and intimidated the victim by restricting her movement, monitoring her communications, and seizing her passport and mobile phone. Following her initial court appearance, the suspect was released under measures including mandatory thrice-weekly check-ins, surrender of her passports, and a travel ban.
The suspect is a manager of companies dedicated to providing geriatric services and elderly care.
The PJ states that, so far, it has identified six victims of the scheme, all women from Africa and South America.
Operation Safra Justa now has only one defendant in pre-trial detention. GNR and PSP officers have been suspended.
A man was held captive in a house in Costa de Caparica, Almada, where he was assaulted. Human trafficking is at the root of the crime.
The Public Prosecutor's Office states that 11 illegal players were brought to São Pedro da Cova and has requested that the coach also be punished.
Nine tonnes of agricultural products seized, 47 arrests made, and four human trafficking crimes detected are the result of more than 6,000 actions carried out by the GNR as part of Operation Safe Field, it was announced today.
GNR officers carried out more than four thousand patrol actions.
Eight people arrested, passports and vehicles seized. The network charged up to €22,000 per migrant and operated between Hungary, France, and the United Kingdom.
The trial, involving 22 defendants, including 15 individuals and seven companies, began on Monday.
Two footballers cleared the defendants and blamed a deceased former official. The judge stated that she felt the witnesses were “tense” during the trial.
The women, many of them foreign and in vulnerable situations, were forced to follow strict rules under threat of retaliation. Ten people were arrested, charged with procuring, criminal association, tax fraud, and drug trafficking.
