|
ILAB News Release: [12/06/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris or Mike
Biddle
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x5051
U.S. Labor Secretary Addresses Challenges to Combating Human Trafficking at Conference on Trafficking in Persons in North America
Also Cites Progress Made Against This Terrible Form of “Modern-Day Slavery”
WASHINGTON—Speaking today at the Conference on Trafficking in
Persons in North America, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao outlined
the international scope of human trafficking and the Department's efforts
to combat it.
“The evil of trafficking in human beings must be stopped,” Chao said. “The
worldwide incidence of men, women and children being enslaved demands a vigorous
and sustained international effort to rescue victims and protect future generations.”
U.S. Labor Secretary Chao, a member of the Interagency Task Force on Trafficking
in Persons, discussed the department's efforts to curb human trafficking
in America and abroad. The U.S. Department of Labor has provided more
than $125 million to support international efforts to combat trafficking
in persons, and has launched projects to combat this practice in Africa,
Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe.
It is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 persons are trafficked across international
borders every year, with about 17,500 entering the United States, according
to the 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report. The number of people
affected increases to two to four million if intra-country trafficking
is included, the report states.
The two-day conference, which runs through Tuesday, is part of ongoing cooperative
activities between the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States
under the North American Agreement of Labor Cooperation (NAALC). This
is the first time an NAALC conference has focused on trafficking in persons.
Conference participants will examine key factors relating to human trafficking
in North America, exchange information on successful anti-trafficking
approaches and discuss areas of potential cooperation. Representatives
from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Canadian and Mexican governments, employers
and workers also will participate in the conference.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
