Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
LET THOSE IN THE SHADOWS SPEAK OUT IN THE LIGHT
Julius Working in Tirana one week ago.
Julius Wanting to
Speak Out -
6 months ago
Promise of a job
which did not exist
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
Z “ I was taken at birth and was not raised by my Mother. I grew up and when I had a baby, my baby was also taken from me. I tried to run and was threatened with my life. I fled to Albania. I had nothing when I arrived. It was winter and I was very cold.” (Now happily working in Albania and has her own flat having fled from Religious Persecution).
R whose homeland is Africa. “I do not feel safe or well in Albania. I speak French. l really need to leave and get another job. I am working but not paid. The Boss said he would give only 200 dollar each month. Our contract says we would be paid 400 euro as a machinist in a tailoring factory. In fact, we are only cleaners. The Asian people do the machining. They are slaves. They live in the factory, work long hours and I do not think they get a just wage. Many have fled. I sleep at a hotel of our boss but he didn't want to pay a salary anymore. Now I have no money for food and my children back home have no schooling. She had no work permit and no money” MWL followed through. (She is now in France)
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
FACTORY LABOUR
TRAFFICKED
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
(One week ago) Nuranbi reached out for assistance, explaining that he was jobless, having been scammed by an agent who took his football manager's money intended for a football team placement in Albania. Everything was through WhatsApp. He was lonely, tired, and without money until he met, within a day, MWL’s lawyer to discuss seeking asylum. He was made an appointment at the migration center. Despite facing challenges like a long trek to the appointment and limited transportation options, Nuranbi remained hopeful about gaining asylum and finding safety, food, and shelter. He said:” Everything goes with sacrifice so the trekking means nothing to me.” (He is now in the Albanian Asylum centre)
BOYS BEING TRAFFICKED TO ALBANIA WITH PROMISES OF PLAYING IN A FOOTBALLTEAM
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
“Good evening, Sorry, I was at work. I'm working in the fields. Once again, thank you so much for your help. Yes, it is really very difficult, and on top of that, they don't pay. We're making tomatoes, chili peppers, and cucumbers. I'm two months into working without pay, and the guy keeps giving me false promises every time. I work between 8 and 9 hours a day and have one day off each week. I came on a visitor visa; it was the only way for me to leave quickly. I'm 4 months here. I had to flee from war because of this separation situation. I witnessed many events that endangered my life, and I fled urgently. Many of my childhood friends have lost their lives. I have no documents. My village is on the border, and when the soldiers arrive, they forcibly rape the women and force the men to fight with them. My sister and my mother often receive threats. I have four sisters and a younger brother who lives in my capital. It's the government that refuses to find a solution to this problem. Entire villages are deserted. One in ten has lost a loved one in this war. Now, I have seen the MWL lawyer and I'm currently at immigration; they've already taken my fingerprints and photos, and they asked me to wait.”(He is now living safely in the Asylum centre and the officials are checking out his place of work in the fields.)
Slave Labour in the Fields of Albania
Foreigners experiencing other forms of Human Trafficking
in Albania:
Treatment: Sex abuse, violence, no pay or under-paid, long hours, poor living conditions, little food.
New Developments: Rapid Response to the Crisis.
2026 Opened Services at the New
Mary Ward Loreto, International Advice and Service Centre, Tirana
Gledis Miska, an experienced lawyer, is now in place.
the Shelter staff for trafficked victims and refers a vulnerable person to them for safety.
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
‘Empowerfull’ programs,
with Asian Survivors, Grow, Change and Develop.
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
NEW INITIATIVE ABOUT TO BEGIN:
Albanian for Beginners, Open to foreign migrants in Albania
Project with Asians Trafficked in Albania or vulnerable to being Trafficked
MWL Research Hub in process of being developed
Build on previous research, offer practical anti trafficking ideas, facilitate partnerships that bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensure that research findings are effectively applied to structural and daily challenges
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
Need for First Albanian Law Against Human Trafficking:
Real need for data to achieve this goal
Raising Awareness and
Creating new Partners in the Mission.
Stories & Partnerships in Collaboration:
Schools, NJPICN, The Tablet, Universities,
Cross-border collaboration – UN Vienna,
Webinars Online.
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking in Albania:
Mary Ward Loreto Developing New Mission out of the Shadows of this Heinous Crime
Imelda Poole CJ
www.marywardloreto.org