On September 30, USAID Deputy Administrator Coleman launched a new Pacific RISE-CTIP subaward to the Palau Chamber of Commerce that will leverage Palau’s private sector to counter trafficking in persons (TIP) in the country. Under the project, the Palau Chamber of Commerce and Division of Employment Services will collaborate to address TIP by raising awareness on trafficking risk in workplaces, and by creating safe spaces for dialogue about trafficking and action to address it in the private sector.
During the launch and roundtable discussion, Deputy Administrator Coleman acknowledged the importance of engaging employers to prevent and counter TIP in workplaces and supply chains: “USAID recognizes the important role the private sector plays in preventing trafficking, and identifying victims and survivors…It’s incumbent on us all, together, to identify challenges and implement solutions to end trafficking in persons.”
The new project, Enhancing awareness to support prevention and protection of Trafficking in Persons in Palau’s private sector, addresses the 2024 TIP Report priority recommendation to “expand efforts to raise awareness on all forms of human trafficking, particularly among employers, labor recruiters, and vulnerable populations, including individuals in commercial sex and migrant workers” in Palau. The project will help reduce TIP risk among migrants and other workers through the following activities:
- Development of an employment guidebook that outlines employment laws and regulations to guide fair labor practices;
- Mapping the prevalence of foreign labor in selected industries and sectors to provide awareness activities to increase employer/employee understanding of TIP and efforts to prevent TIP;
- Provision of support for identified TIP victims with opportunities for livelihood training or employment; and
- Hosting business forums to share learnings and best practises and to engage the wider business community in CTIP efforts.
Palau Chamber of Commerce President Vivien Ngirarsaol-Protine stated: “This critical funding will enable us to enhance our efforts in combating human trafficking, protecting vulnerable populations, and promoting a safer, more equitable society.”
The Chamber of Commerce was represented at the meeting by four board members, President Vivien N. Protine, Vice-President Thomas Brock Welge, Treasurer Bochner Liu, and Board Member Russell Cabral. Additional members and staff joined the event, including Kaipo Recheungel, Ilebrang Olkeriil, and Itirong Olkeriil. From the public sector, Chief Wandalyn Remeliik and Senior Labor Compliance Officer O’Dear Yobech represented the Division of Employment Services. The roundtable was facilitated by Ms. Ltelatk Fritz, Program Officer (Civil Society Organisations Portfolio), USAID Pacific RISE-CTIP.
The launch was also attended by Paula Tufro – Special Assistant to the President, National Security Council (NSC); Diane Farrell – Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, Commerce; Sara Borodin – Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID Bureau for Asia; Verinda Fike – Indo-Pacific, Regional Director, US Trade and Development Agency; Sophia Lalani – Senior Advisor for National Security, USAID; Paula Miller – USAID Country Coordinator Palau; Betty Chung – USAID Deputy Mission Director for the Pacific Islands and Mongolia; Steve Knode – Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Commerce; and Shankar Rao, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Koror.