SURVEY: TOURISM, CONSTRUCTION VULNERABLE TO TRAFFICKING

Surveys have indicated that industries such as tourism, and construction make it viable for trafficking in persons to thrive in Fiji, says Maribel Buenaobra. But there is time to address the issue, she said. Ms Buenaobra is the deputy chief of party for the Pacific RISE-CTIP – an organisation that works towards countering trafficking in persons through a multi-sectoral approach.

The RISE-CTIP programme is currently supporting the scoping studies on the mapping of trafficking in persons in Fiji.

There are researchers who are undertaking surveys and interviews on the expanse of trafficking in persons in Fiji, and why is Fiji a hub.

“The scoping studies show that there could be industries that are vulnerable to trafficking and so we need the help and assistance of relevant government agencies to address it,” she said.

“There is a need to discuss with government authorities especially the National Taskforce on Combating Trafficking in Persons to strengthen the data collection of incidences of trafficking.” She said when it comes to trafficking of children, the taskforce is supposed to be working with nongovernmental organisations and authorities such as the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.

“When you talk about child trafficking it must be reported, it no longer needs consent, because it involves children. That is mandatory.” Ms Buenaobra said NGOs, the national taskforce, and authorities needed to make recommendations that the time to search for missing people, especially children needed to be shortened from the 24 hours that Police followed.

“If children are involved, don’t wait for 24 hours to report or act, time is of the essence, and with traffickers, anything can happen in 24 hours, because we are after children and people’s safety.”

She added Fiji was also a country that had a labour morbidity scheme, for example you have Fijians who go to Australia, New Zealand, United States and Fijians tend to become migrant workers.

“We want to be able to strengthen procedures, provide them with a safe migration app, provide them with information on which relevant government agencies get information, and hotlines they can call in case they are in a vulnerable situation.”