Issue Date: 14/07/2022
An Garda Síochána participated in an EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) joint-action operation against labour exploitation between 16th and 17th June, 2022. The operation was executed alongside participating European law enforcement authorities and Europol.
This operation was focused on labour exploitation and was a multi-agency approach. Gardaí attached to the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU) and Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) were accompanied by representatives from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection while conducting inspections. During the course of the operation a total of 126 entities (persons, locations, vehicles, documents etc) were inspected.
Two (2) further inspections were carried out on the 20th and 21st June by the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
As a result of these inspections and in consultation with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), a number of S14 letters were issued to individuals in respect of their immigration status in Ireland.
