The End Human Trafficking Now campaign is the first worldwide initiative to engage the private sector in anti-trafficking efforts. Whilst striding to put an end to human trafficking altogether, the campaign emphasizes the role of the business community and puts business companies in the forefront of anti-trafficking efforts. EHTN seeks to integrate the business community into the solution of ending this illicit trade. It fully engages the private sector in the fight against human trafficking, to acknowledge good business practices and focus on moving forward towards a zero tolerance policy against human trafficking. Today’s economic engine is enterprises, and their social responsibility is pivotal for putting an end to this terrible scourge.



Discussions revealed that the missing component of the anti-trafficking efforts was the business sector. While it has a pivotal role to play in fighting human trafficking, the business community was not involved in this endeavor. Business leaders adopted a set of ethical principles – the “Athens Ethical Principles” – to ensure their stand against human trafficking.

Taking an active role against human trafficking can present companies with a significant opportunity to be identified as leaders amongst industry peers and within society at large. Human trafficking can present risks to business in its own operations, within the global supply chains and amongst business partners, including private employment agencies, for instance. There can be a legal risk because human trafficking is a crime in most countries in the world and a serious threat to brand or company reputation. This risk can be effectively addressed through actions taken at company, industry, national, regional and international levels.

Working with stakeholders, including civil society groups and public policy actors can make business engagement more effective and sustainable. However, businesses alone cannot solve the problem of human trafficking. But there is a great deal that business actors can do within their own sphere of influence, including identifying trafficking victims and taking preventive and corrective action.