eu-com-schengen-coop

3.3.4a Biometry
Biometry has been applied without major problems since November 2013. MS have shared their
feedback on the starting up problems, which were minor (finger prints scan not always reliable, due
to over use of nail polish/moistening cream by some Philippine women).
A couple of MS currently use the services of an external provider for biometry. Others are
considering it. And one will as soon as possible start the bidding process/outsourcing of a service
provider who will perform biometry of their applicants.
3.3.4b Return Control
The MS have different practices in applying the Return Control but most of them closely monitor
this.
3.4 Any other initiative taken in LSC
3.4.1 Training on Visa and Consular Officials and Local Staff in the Visa Section
As mentioned in the last report, a level-up training on Fraud Document and Detection of Impostors
was conducted as scheduled on 15 May 2013. The target participants were staff members working
for the visa and consular sections who have just joined the mission and the previous participants of
the September 2012 workshop. The participants are not as many as the previous workshop.
A similar training is offered again this month but the MS suggested that there should be no need for
additional training at Consular level in the coming months.
3.4.2 Human trafficking
Human trafficking was planned to be a regular item for update and discussion during the meetings.
It was suggested that, “Human trafficking/smuggling” should be a fixed point on the LSC agenda to
strengthen the cooperation between the embassies and create awareness on this topic; that in each
meeting a case of human trafficking/smuggling could be discussed/presented. NL took the lead and
on 4 th June 2013 presented the first case. NL actively cooperates with the IACAT and supports two
key projects: Victim Processing Center Pilot Project and the Philippines Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Database Enhancement Project. A short video presentation was prepared.
During the meeting of 2 nd July 2013 NO presented a comprehensive update on human trafficking donor's
meeting which was held on 18 th June 2013 at the Norwegian Embassy. The meeting focused mainly on
prevention, the plan to have an information center available to groups with risk of exploitation and
campaign against agents ( esp. for study permit to go to Norway) that will also involve partnership of private
sectors and different partners.
3.4.3 Accreditation of Crewing agencies
Accreditation of crewing agencies is among the many challenges some MS face to date. In March
2013, there was a discussion whether the joint-accreditation process should be continued or
discontinued as one of the concerns is the capacity to do the accreditation on top of all other visa
applications being managed by each MS and that the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency
(POEA) is performing similar accreditation process. It was agreed that an annual meeting will be
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DG D 1 A
EN