SUVA, 18 DECEMBER 2017 (FIJI TIMES) — Human trafficking and forced labour is a global issue and Fiji is not being spared from its growing trend.
That’s the view of Labour Minister Jone Usamate, as the recent US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2017 revealed that Fiji was identified as a source, destination and transit country for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour. [restrict
Usamate said Fiji was trying to uphold the International Labor Organisation (ILO) obligations as it was signatory to it.
“We want to make sure as much as possible that all the agencies that needed to be involved are working together to address the issue on human trafficking,” he said.
“Whether it is through Fiji or within Fiji, we need to be working together. There had been some cases highlighted in the past, we just need to be vigilant and work on addressing the issue.”
The report positioned Fiji in the tier two governments of countries that have made significant progress towards protecting its citizens from sex trafficking and forced labour, but does not meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.
However, the report noted the Fijian Government’s significant efforts for compliance.
“As reported over the past five years, Fiji is a source, destination and transit country for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour,” the report stated.
The report claimed Fijian women and children were subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude abroad or in Fijian cities.
“Family members, taxidrivers, foreign tourists, businessmen and crew on foreign fishing vessels have allegedly exploited Fijian children in sex trafficking.”..PACNEWS [/restrict]