Barbados
Human trafficking in Barbados and six other Caribbean countries
Human trafficking is a reality in Barbados and some of its Caribbeanneighbors, and it’s being reported that some of those people brought illegally into the country are being forced into labor
Human trafficking is a reality in Barbados and some of its Caribbeanneighbors, and it’s being reported that some of those people brought illegally into the country are being forced into labour.
These findings were made during an exploratory study conducted by the International Organisation of Migration. It examined Barbados, the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname.
Co-ordinator of the study, Ashley Garrett said traffickers in these countries are using the illegal status of their “workers” to control and take advantage of them.
“There is a common thread that sometimes the (trafficker) would say, ‘your situation is better off than what you left so if you’re working for seven days a week, getting paid minimally or you’re not getting paid at all, but we’re providing you with some room and board, then that’s ok’,” she said.
But she added that “in the international definitions and in many of the national legislations of these countries, that’s illegal and certainly forced labour.”
This news comes on the heels of a warning by Barbados’ Director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sheila Stuart that although trafficking in women and children – especially for sexual purposes – is not even a minor problem here, the tourist industry and the opening up of the labour markets could see the illegal activity surfacing sooner or later.
She says there is growing concern about trafficking in the Caribbean and Latin America generally, but making specific reference to Barbados she said because the country is a hub for travel throughout the region it will be vulnerable.
“We have to look at the fact that with the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and so on, Barbados is seen as one of the more developed countries in the region with a very strong dollar,” she said.
“We have to be always mindful of the fact that it is where the money is that people are likely to find themselves trafficked. People tend to go where they think economic and social opportunities will be better for them,” Ms. Stuart added