Bratislava, 29 March 2021 – The mobile application SAFE Travel & Work Abroad warns about the risk of human trafficking and provides advice what to do if you find yourself in dangerous situations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) introduced four new language versions of the application.

IOM developed the SAFE application in 2016 and apart from Slovak, Czech, English, French, German,  Hungarian and Polish, the application is also available in Roma, Russian, Serbian and Ukrainian language since March 2021.

“By making the application available in more languages we want to bring the topic of working abroad and the related risks of human trafficking to as many people as possible. The application can be very useful for both Slovak citizens or citizens of other countries who work abroad or consider travelling abroad for work,“ explains Zuzana Vatráľová, the head of IOM office in Slovakia which has been active in counter-trafficking field since 2003.

In the interactive game users can try to escape the risk of becoming a victim of human traffickers. Moreover, the application provides advice on how to recognize signs of human trafficking, tips for safe travel abroad and important information on employment agencies and employment contracts.  

“The application contains useful tips and contacts for anyone who is in dangerous situation. With the help of the SAFE application and their smartphones, users have this information available all the time. The application is also a useful tool in prevention work and is used by professionals working with those people who are at most risk of becoming victims of human trafficking,“ emphasises Zuzana Vatráľová.  

IOM also updated the application with new information related to the departure of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union. Based on the data of the Slovak Ministry of Interior, the United Kingdom is one of the most frequent countries where Slovak citizens become victims of human trafficking.

“After the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU the possibilies for legal work have been reduced. We think it is important to inform people interested in working in the country on what they need to do to get work visa and increase their safety while travelling and working abroad,“ explains Zuzana Vatráľová.

The application SAFE if available for free download in Google Play and App Store and on the website www.safe.iom.sk. Detailed information on how to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking is also available on the website www.bezpecnecestovanie.iom.sk.

IOM Slovakia has updated the application Safe Travel & Work Abroad in the framework of the project SAFE Work and Travel – Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings in SK, CZ and PL, which is implemented together with La Strada organization in the Czech Republic and Poland. The project is funded by the International Visegrad Fund.

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More information:

Zuzana Vatráľová, Head of IOM Office in Bratislava, tel. číslo 02 – 5273 3791, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About IOM:

International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an international inter-governmental organization established in 1951 with the aim of helping displaced persons, refugees and migrants in Europe. In 2016 IOM joined the UN system as the UN migration agency. At present IOM activities cover a wide range of migration issues in more than 150 countries in the world. As the leading international organization in the field of migration IOM works closely with governments and migrants and it is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. For more information visit www.iom.int.

IOM has been active in Slovakia since 1996. IOM Bratislava implements activities in the field of migrant integration, assisted voluntary returns to migrants’ countries of origin and assistance upon their return, fight against the trafficking in human beings, coordination of the activities of the European Migration Network, and humanitarian transfer of refugees. As part of these and other areas IOM carries out different activities – providing services to migrants, conducting research, raising awareness about migration and migrant integration through information campaigns, implementing educational and capacity-building activities for key stakeholders. For more information visit www.iom.sk/en.

IOM priority in all of its programs is providing direct assistance to migrants.

Support of the update of the SAFE application:

IOM Slovakia has updated the application Safe Travel & Work Abroad in the framework of the project SAFE Work and Travel – Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings in SK, CZ and PL, which is implemented together with La Strada organization in the Czech Republic and Poland. The project is funded by the International Visegrad Fund.