Domestic Worker Treaty Signed by the Philippines and its Impact on Human Trafficking

Housecleaners, nannies, and many woman workers all over the world (forty countries) gathered in Uruguay with community organizers and trade unionists to establish the first global federation of domestic workers.  This was this past October.  Over two years ago on Sept. 5 2011, the first global labor standard, the ILO Domestic Workers Convention was entered at a very similar gathering.  Since the adoption of this domestic workers treaty, these people who gathered in Uruguay have helped to bring out new laws and protections to domestic workers in over 25 countries, as well as adding new members.

Ten countries have ratified the treaty since its inception: Uruguay, the Philipines, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Italy, Bolivia, Paraguay, South Africa, Guyana, and Germany.  Some of the efforts taken by the Philippines address the risks faced by migrant workers, specifically they have prohibited employment agencies and employers from charging recruitment fees from workers.  Other countries who signed the treaty are following suit, e.g. Argentina setting a 48 hour work week and more.

This can be seen as a demonstration that serious enforcement against forced labor and stronger rights for laborers in general advances rights and protection for trafficking victims.

Full account available at

http://www.thenation.com/blog/177041/labor-rights-all-fight-against-modern-day-slavery#

Dutch NGO Uses Virtual 10 Year Old Filipina to Track Down Cyber Sex Tourists

Terre des Hommes Netherlands, a Dutch Non-Government Organization dedicated to stopping child exploitation in developing countries, created a virtual 10 year old Filipina named “Sweetie” (complete with Filipino accent) to track down predators online.  In a span of 2.5 months, Terre des Hommes Netherlands was able to identify 1,000 plus adults who were willing to pay their virtual Filipina in order to have her perform sex acts via web cam while they pleasured themselves.  Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ researchers were able to determine that the identified adult solicitors hailed from more than 65 countries.

Video footage of their efforts and full article can be found on the source site: http://www.terredeshommes.org/webcam-child-sex-tourism/

To learn more about Terre des Hommes Netherlands, please visit: http://www.terredeshommes.nl/languages/en  

The Philippines Ranked 98 on Global Slavery Index

The Philippines was listed as 98 on the Global Slavery index, which measures the amount of modern-day slavery in a country.  The Walk Free Foundation (WFF) compiled the index on October 17^th, and makes its determination on a “measure of three factors” which includes the following: prevalence of modern slavery by population, measure of child marriage, and measure of human trafficking in and out of the Philippines.

Out of the population totaling 96 million people, the report estimates showed that between 140,000 to 160,000 people are enslaved in the Philippines with enslavement found in many industries, from the sex industry to agriculture. 

The WFF did note in its report, however, that the Filipino government has been “making notable efforts” to combat modern day slavery of Filipinos both at home and abroad.

Full account available at

http://www.rappler.com/nation/41604-ph-98th-in-global-slavery-index

Human trafficking an American problem, experts say

The average American is for the most part unaware of just how large a problem human trafficking is in the country, experts said at the fifth Texas Human Trafficking summit. Community leaders, law enforcement and social service providers meet at this annual summit in order to raise awareness about fighting human trafficking in North Texas. ““Often people think it’s an international issue, but primarily it’s a much bigger issue here in America,” said Jaime Meyers, managing director of Children at Risk.” Law enforcement have turned to the internet – considered a hotbed of traffickers – in order to catch repeat offenders, like backpage.com The website allows for prostitutes to advertise themselves, many of whom are underage. “Undercover Dallas police officers pose as buyers online to target trafficking sales online. The program, called “Operation Brick and Mortar,” rescued six children from June of last year to August, said Lt. Alfred Diorio of the Dallas Police Department’s High Risk Victims and Trafficking Unit.The unit has made 118 arrests in the past year, many of which resulted in “significant sentencing” for the perpetrator, Diorio said.” Along with these efforts, the Letot Girls’ Residential Treatment Center will open next year to provide shelter for girls who may become victimized by traffickers. It is hoped that this will be one of the tools to combat human trafficking, said R. Keith Atwood of the Dallas County Juvenile Department.

Full account available at

http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/human-trafficking-an-american-problem-experts-say-at-forum-wednesday.html/

British Columbia Man to spend 3 months or more in Prison in Filipino Nanny Trafficking Case

A British Columbia man, Franco Orr, could face up to 18 months or more in prison for lying to immigration officials.   Orr attempted to bring his children’s nanny, a Filipino woman, from Hong Kong to Canada through false promises, and in the process also lied to British Columbia immigration officers.  Despite having a clean record and being a productive member of society, Orr was told that he must spend time in prison in order to deter others from violating immigration laws in Canada.  Justice Richard Goepel expressed,  “individuals cannot be allowed to disregard immigration laws of this country with impunity.”

Orr was convicted for human trafficking, employing a foreign national, and for lying to immigration officials.  All are counts found under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Full account available at

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/faces+jail+nanny+trafficking+case/9041283/story.html

Three Aussies Charged for Trafficking and Exploitation of Four Filipinos

Three Australians were recently arrested and charged with the trafficking and exploitation of four Filipino nationals. The individuals arrested were two men and a woman, all three from Green Valley. The Filipino nationals were brought into the country on a sporting visa, and were led to believe they were to be in the country to pursue a professional boxing career. Upon arrival in Australia however, they were informed that they “owed a debt for their travel to Australia.” “The four men were then "housed in poor-quality accommodation, provided with sub-standard meals, and forced into unpaid domestic labour." The police also said that the movement of the four Filipinos was also restricted by their captors.” The Australian Federal Police (AFP) immediately began investigation into this case upon being informed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) of the alleged trafficking. The offense of the three Australians carries a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.

Full account available at

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/513095/20131011/australia-philippines-australian-federal-police-afp-trafficking.htm - .UmXog5TwKhM

MTV Exit and Dakila Create Awareness of Human Trafficking in Davao and Surrounding Areas

Dakila, a collection of Filipino students, artists, and other individuals dedicated to create awareness and social change in the Philippines, recently teamed up with MTV Exit on an initiative against human trafficking and exploitation in the Philippines.  Entitled the MTV Exit Youth Jam, the initiative included trainings and forums in Davao schools, film screenings at Davao Cinematheque, and a free concert featuring local artists. 

Putting human trafficking in perspective, Dakila president stated last March that, “Not only are we a country with 10 million of our countrymen working abroad and where disasters, armed conflict, and poverty force most of us to find better opportunities and safer living space elsewhere, but also a society where the luster of city life and promise of fast cash continue to attract people from the rural communities. As a result, more people are becoming vulnerable to human trafficking.” 

Full account available at
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/501047/dakila-partners-with-mtv-exit-in-campaign-vs-human-trafficking-in-davao-city#ixzz2h4qQKfqq

Philippines Underscores Joint Responsibility with other Nations to Combat Human Trafficking

During the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2013 the Philippines’ Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Evan Garcia, stated that the fight against human trafficking should be viewed as a joint responsibility of all UN member states.  According to recent statistics, about one-in-ten Filipinos that work overseas are indentured laborers. Garcia noted that “protection of the welfare and rights of Filipinos overseas is a pillar of Philippine foreign policy.” According to the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), the Philippines is a major source country of trafficked individuals. The Philippines' efforts to combat human trafficking include founding the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking to reignite awareness  of human trafficking on a global front; enhancing information sharing and human rights approaches to combat trafficking in persons; adopting of a human rights based approach to combat trafficking in persons; and promoting the ratification of the Palermo Protocol and the full and effective implementation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Full account available at

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/addressing-human-trafficking-a-joint-responsibility-philippines-tell-un-1.1236969

With Special Courts, State Aims to Steer Women Away From Sex Trade

The State of New York is creating a statewide system that is designed to aid victims of human and sex trafficking. It will do so by creating a statewide system of specialized criminal courts to handle prostitution cases. The program will identify trafficking victims and refer them to services like housing, healthcare, immigration assistance, drug treatment and job assistance. Those who manage to complete court-mandated programs can end up with non-criminal dispositions and reduced or dismissed charges. This kind of initiative is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. “Eleven new courts across the state, modeled on three narrower pilot projects in New York City and Nassau County, will bring together specially trained prosecutors, judges and defense lawyers, along with social workers and an array of other services, the chief judge, Jonathan Lippman, said in a speech to the Citizens Crime Commission in Midtown Manhattan.” Queens, Nassau County and Manhattan’s Midtown Community Court have already set up as the three pilot parts, and all of the parts will be up and running by the end of October. Steven Banks, the Legal Aid Society attorney-in-chief has said that the new system was ““an extremely important step forward nationally” to set up courts where people accused of prostitution and related offenses can be connected to programs that offer what he called “a pathway to change.”” He also added that prostitution-related convictions leave victims of human trafficking “indelibly scarred” and harm their future in many ways. The ability to erase the trafficking-related prostitution conviction as well as the establishment of the new court parts will literally provide these clients with a second chance.

Full account available at

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/nyregion/special-courts-for-human-trafficking-and-prostitution-cases-are-planned-in-new-york.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0