Local authorities and prevention: tools and strategies to combat human trafficking and labour exploitation

Tuesday 16 June 2026

How can local authorities help prevent labour exploitation and human trafficking through their administrative activities?

Local authorities play a vital role in the early identification of situations at risk of labour exploitation and human trafficking. Thanks to their expertise in strategic sectors such as tourism, hospitality, construction, trade and the regulation of economic activities, local authorities are in a unique position to detect signs of vulnerability and potential indicators of exploitation. Integrating prevention into day-to-day administrative procedures enables a shift from a predominantly reactive approach to a system capable of identifying risks at an early stage and implementing timely interventions.

In response to these needs, 204 local government professionals took part in the HOST training course held in Palermo, organised by ANCI Sicilia and CESIE ETS, in collaboration with ANVU Sicilia, at the San Paolo Palace Hotel in Palermo.

The initiative focused on the contribution that local authorities can make in combating labour exploitation and human trafficking, and explored the preventive potential of administrative procedures relating to tourism, hospitality and the regulation of economic activities.

The high turnout of representatives from local councils across Sicily highlighted a growing awareness of the role that local authorities can play in protecting vulnerable people. Prevention, in fact, is not solely the responsibility of the police or the judicial authorities, but can also be achieved through the tools and expertise that local councils deploy on a daily basis.

During the meeting, the operational framework for local authorities on the prevention of human trafficking and labour exploitation was presented, with a particular focus on sectors most at risk, such as tourism, hospitality, seasonal work and major events.

The guidelines illustrate how administrative functions can be transformed into concrete prevention tools through:

administrative checks and inspections;

authorisation procedures and the issuing of licences;

coordination between different municipal departments;

early identification of risk indicators.

Particular attention was paid to the procedures handled by the One-Stop Shops for Productive Activities (SUAP). Although SCIA procedures allow activities to commence immediately on the basis of a declaration by the interested party, subsequent checks can provide an important opportunity to identify irregularities or possible signs of exploitation. Prior authorisation procedures also offer further opportunities for verification before economic activities begin.

More generally, the training highlighted how documentation and administrative processes can help to identify situations of vulnerability that would otherwise risk remaining unseen.

Good practices and lessons learnt

One of the most significant aspects to emerge during the course was the integration of the issues of trafficking and labour exploitation into the technical and administrative training already provided to municipal staff. This approach made it possible to link the content directly to the participants’ daily activities, making the knowledge acquired immediately applicable.

The operational guidelines have transformed complex legal and institutional concepts into practical tools that can be used within existing administrative processes. The focus on authorisations, checks and the activities of the One-Stop Shops has also demonstrated how it is possible to strengthen prevention without creating new dedicated structures, but rather by making the most of procedures and expertise already present within local authorities.

The involvement of frontline operational staff, such as the local police and SUAP personnel, helped to make the discussion particularly concrete and action-oriented. At the same time, the collaboration between ANCI Sicilia, CESIE ETS and ANVU Sicilia facilitated a multidisciplinary exchange of experiences and expertise.

The training also highlighted the importance of a clear definition of institutional roles and responsibilities, fostering more effective collaboration between municipal services and investigative authorities and reducing potential operational overlaps. Finally, the need emerged to equip municipal staff with practical tools capable of translating general guidelines and principles into concrete actions that can be applied in their day-to-day work.

Towards an increasingly active role for local authorities

The high level of participation confirmed the growing interest among Sicilian local authorities in strengthening their contribution to the protection of vulnerable people. By examining the main sectors at risk, administrative monitoring tools and reporting procedures, municipal staff were able to develop the skills needed to identify critical situations promptly and to promote more coordinated and effective interventions.

HOST’s experience highlights an increasingly shared perspective: the administrative functions of local authorities are not merely tools for territorial management, but can contribute significantly to prevention, protection and early intervention. This approach strengthens the capacity of local institutions to build safer, more inclusive communities that are attentive to the rights of those most at risk of exploitation and trafficking.

Would you like to stay updated on HOST’s upcoming initiatives?

Read the fact sheet or contact Cinzia Broccolo: cinziabroccolo@cesie.org

About HOST

HOST – Tackling Human Trafficking in the Hospitality sector is funded by DG for Migration and Home Affairs (HOME), Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).