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Human trafficking in Barbados and six other Caribbean countries
Friday, March 18, 2005
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Human trafficking is a
reality in Barbados and some of its Caribbean neighbours, and it’s being
reported that some of those people brought illegally into the country are
being forced into labour. These findings were
made during an exploratory study conducted by the International Organisation
of Migration. It examined Barbados, the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia,
the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname. Co-ordinator
of the study, Ashley Garrett said traffickers in these countries are using the
illegal status of their “workers” to control and take advantage of them.
“There is a common thread that sometimes the (trafficker) would say, ‘your
situation is better off than what you left so if you’re working for seven days
a week, getting paid minimally or you’re not getting paid at all, but we’re
providing you with some room and board, then that’s ok’,” she said.
But she added that “in the international definitions and in many of the
national legislations of these countries, that’s illegal and certainly forced
labour.” This news comes on the heels of a
warning by Barbados’ Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sheila Stuart
that although trafficking in women and children – especially for sexual
purposes – is not even a minor problem here, the tourist industry and the
opening up of the labour markets could see the illegal activity surfacing
sooner or later. She says there is growing
concern about trafficking in the Caribbean and Latin America generally, but
making specific reference to Barbados she said because the country is a hub
for travel throughout the region it will be vulnerable.
“We have to look at the fact that with the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)
and so on, Barbados is seen as one of the more developed countries in the
region with a very strong dollar,” she said.
“We have to be always mindful of the fact that it is where the money is that
people are likely to find themselves trafficked. People tend to go where they
think economic and social opportunities will be better for them,” Ms. Stuart
added
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