The head of the International Organisation for Migration in Papua New Guinea says a United States report into human trafficking does not take into account progress being made.
Papua New Guineans at a rally. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The State Department said foreign and local women in PNG were subjected to sex trafficking, domestic servitude and forced begging, while men were subjected to forced labour in logging and mining camps.
It gave the country its lowest possible ranking: Tier 3.
George Gigauri said the situation in PNG was not great, but big steps were being made to combat human trafficking, although he said they were yet to yield results.
He said the government was starting to implement anti-human trafficking laws introduced in 2013, and government departments were working out how to crack down on illegal practices.
"There is certainly nothing good about being downgraded to Tier 3. However, I would not use that as an overall assessment or evaluation of the progress achieved so far, and certainly not as the correct recognition of the ongoing work. It just takes time, that's all."
George Gigauri says there is a lot to do and progress has been slow.