World Vision gives voice to millions of trafficked people on World Day Against Child Labour

World Vision gives voice to millions of trafficked people on World Day Against Child Labour

• For every person trafficked for prostitution, nine are trafficked for labour
• Canada is not immune—human trafficking is a borderless crime
• The Canadian government must include labour trafficking in its national strategy promised during the 2011 election

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (June 9, 2011) – Tomorrow, World Vision will release the report, 10 Things You Need to Know About Labour Trafficking. In Canada and around the world, issues of trafficking for sexual exploitation are becoming well known, but the equally destructive crime of labour trafficking has been ignored. Labour trafficking is a real problem in Canada --it’s time to raise awareness and change the status quo.

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"10 Things You Need to Know About Labour Trafficking" tells the stories of women, men and children trafficked for labour exploitation. The report brings to light unknown facts, including how men are trafficked onto fishing boats and held prisoner and how “3D” jobs—Dirty, Dangerous, Demeaning—fuel the demand for trafficked labour. Human and labour trafficking are not limited to countries “over there”—Canada is a known source, destination and transit country for this horrific crime. In Canada’s recent federal election, Prime Minister Harper promised a national action plan for human trafficking. This strategy must tackle the national and international aspects of trafficking and include the most vulnerable people —including boys and men. In order to make Canada a leader, the voices of victims, vulnerable children and youth, NGOs, police and aboriginal communities in Canada must be heard. “Provocative stories of women and girls trafficked for the sex trade catch media and public attention. People don’t know that labour trafficking is recognized as one of the worst forms of child labour. The Canadian government must step up and include labour trafficking in their national strategy against human trafficking.” — Carleen McGuinty, Child Protection Policy Advisor, World Vision Canada

Facts:

• Sunday, June 12, marks the annual World Day Against Child Labour
• At any given time, approximately 1.2 million children are victims of trafficking
• Labour trafficking can take the form of forced labour, bonded labour, debt bondage and sweatshop labour

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