Experts eye Vietnam’s domestic helper law warily as it goes into effect

Date: 29 May 2014

Source: Thanh Nien

 

A decree has recognized labor rights for domestic workers in Vietnam. Phillip Hazelton, chief technical advisor on industrial relations at the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Vietnam said the decree represents an important step toward protecting these workers and promoting domestic work as a legitimate profession.

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UN panel blasts Hong Kong for ignoring the rights of new immigrants, maids

Date: 28 May 2014

Source: SCMP

 

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a United Nations rights body, has accused Hong Kong of not upholding human rights and failing to prevent discrimination, singling out treatment of maids and new immigrants in a report that says the city has failed to implement international covenant.

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Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings publishes first report on Sweden

Date: 27 May 2014

Source: Council of Europe

 

The report welcomes the steps taken by the Swedish authorities to combat trafficking in human beings and support victims of trafficking, yet believes further steps should have been taken to ensure that action against human trafficking is comprehensive, by paying increased attention to trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation as well as trafficking for forced begging and forced criminality, and trafficking within Sweden.

Click here to read the report.

 

 

 

Philippines: Slow prosecution of human trafficking cases worries expert.

Date: 25 May 2014

Source: Yahoo! News

 

The Philippines has strong laws penalizing human trafficking, but the slow prosecution of cases remains a huge barrier in the campaign against traffickers and their cohorts, an expert said. “The trial process is too long and the number of convictions is still low,” says Visayan Forum policy director, Shalima Parmanand, at an anti-trafficking and slavery seminar for 200 Antipolo City employees.

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7,000 Fans Unite Against Human Trafficking at MTV EXIT Concerts in Udon Thani

Date: 24 May 2014

Source: Association of Southeast Asian Nations

 

Over 7,000 fans participated in two free concerts hosted by “MTV EXIT Live in Udon Thani” to educate young people about the dangers of human trafficking. Two back-to-back concerts included multi-platinum artist Bodyslam, ASEAN collective Project E.A.R., Slot Machine, Palmy and more.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) says forced labour generates annual profits of US$ 150 billion

Date: 20 May 2014

Source: International Labour Organization

 

The ILO report, Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour, said two thirds of the estimated total of US$ 150 billion, or US$ 99 billion, came from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$ 51 billion resulted from forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.

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Click here to access the report.

 

 

 

The U.S. House of Representative passed five anti-human trafficking bills

Date: 20 May 2014

Source: TIME Magazine

 

The U.S. House of Representative passed five anti-human trafficking bills which aim to do everything from providing additional funding for authorities tackling the problem to requiring states to identify youth in foster care who have fallen prey to the sex trafficking world.

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Global Slavery Index progress update

Date: 12 May 2014

 

Six months after the release of the Global Slavery Index, Walk Free provides a preview of what governments are doing to respond to modern slavery at home and overseas.

 

Click here to access the update.

 

 

 

How many more years a slave?

Date: 12 May 2014

Source: Justice Centre Hong Kong & Liberty Asia

 

Read a recent report produced by the Justice Centre Hong Kong and Liberty Asia and learn more about forced labor in Hong Kong, including definitions and recommendations.

 

Click here to read the report.

 

 

 

Help end modern slavery in Hong Kong

Date: 12 May 2014

 

Walk-free has organized a petition calling for the Hong Kong Government to put in place procedures to regulate and monitor placement agencies for domestic helpers.

Click here to sign the petition.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​