The British government and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have announced a new ‘Work in Freedom’ project to help prevent 100,000 girls and women across South Asia from falling victim to ‘the worst forms’ of labour trafficking.
The British High Commission in Dhaka on Tuesday said the programme would help tackle known labour trafficking routes from South Asia, including Bangladesh, to the Gulf states.
It says girls and women living in poverty often fall prey to dishonest recruitment agents and end up paying hefty ‘recruitment fees’ only to find themselves trapped in jobs far away from home, working with no payment or means of escape and often facing threats and abuse.
Trafficking of girls and women for forced garment or domestic work is a form of modern day slavery.
Estimates say there are 21 million people who are trafficked and in forced labour worldwide – over half of this is in South Asia.
Girls are particularly vulnerable to child trafficking for domestic work, where they may be physically or sexually abused behind closed doors, the media release says.
“The Work in Freedom initiative will provide women with practical support and advice so that they can earn a living and avoid the dangers of trafficking,” DFID Bangladesh Country Representative Sarah Cooke was quoted as saying in the media release.
ILO Bangladesh Representative Srinivas B Reddy said this programme would enhance their capabilities to work in freedom “by improving skills and employability of women and girls.
“It will prevent them from being tricked into trafficking and staying trapped in exploitative situations”.
The project aims to help crack down on the unscrupulous recruitment agents that contribute to this modern day slavery, prevent child labour by helping girls stay in school and provide women at risk of trafficking with training, information and support so they can protect themselves from abuse and migrate safely.
Apart from other activities, the project will also bring trade unions, big brand employers, local factories, lawmakers and mobile phone companies together to create an environment where girls and women can work free of fear and violence.
Source: Bd news24
