Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeRepublic ofMoldovaRepublic ofMoldova1. OverviewBecause of its geographical location and current economic situation, Moldovahas emerged as a major country of origin for trafficking in women and children.It is also a transit country for trafficking from Ukraine and other countriesof the former Soviet Union.During the transition period in the 1990s, living standards in Moldova deteriorated.Unemployment rose as the result of the delayed payment of salaries,pensions and social benefits, the liberalisation of prices and inefficient use oflabour so that 60 percent of the population were living below the absolute povertyline. The poorest people were families with children, pensioners and ruralinhabitants. Since the beginning of the transition period, there has been areduction of women’s participation in governmental bodies and in economiclife. Sixty-eight percent of the unemployed are women, despite having thesame level of training as men, and when in paid employment, they are onlypaid 70-80 percent of the salary a man would receive for the same job. Theonly exception is in small private businesses where women have becomeincreasingly active. 37The economic decline has also caused a growth in family violence, sexual violence,alcohol abuse and prostitution. Family relations have been particularlyaffected and a large percentage of women are continuously subjected to violence.381.1. Migration, prostitution and traffickingIt is estimated that at least 600,000 Moldavians out of a total population of4.3 million live abroad. In recent years, remittances from migrant labourersbecame a very substantial part of the country’s income. For the rural population,migration is perceived as the only survival strategy. In some villages,more than half of the population has migrated. Official polls show that 80 percentof the population wants to migrate.Migration is a key issue for young people. During the past decade, net externalmigration of young people aged between 14-24 is estimated at 130,000, thethird highest rate in the Central and Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of IndependentStates/Baltic region. Lack of opportunities for young people is understoodto be the main reason. At present, almost 90 percent of young peopleaged 18-29 would like to leave Moldova for at least a little while. Over 37 percentwould leave forever if they had the opportunity, with only 9 percent ofyoung people wishing to stay in Moldova. 39The very traditional attitudes toward women prevailing in society, extremepoverty and violence are behind the young women’s desire to migrate. Thosewho have contacts and money use safe, though still illegal, ways to pay for37.Common Country Assessment, UN in Moldova, December 2000, p.34 - 35.38.Ibid, p.68.39.Interview with the UNICEF Assistant representative, Giovanna Barberis, 24 July 2001.25