South Korea

South Korea edging out Japan in women trafficking--NGO

INQ7

SOUTH Korea is edging out Japan as the new destination of trafficked women, most of whom are forced into sex trade, a woman rights advocate revealed.

South Korea edging out Japan in women trafficking--NGO
First posted 09:37pm (Mla time) Dec 15, 2005
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
(UPDATE) SOUTH Korea is edging out Japan as the new destination of trafficked women, most of whom are forced into sex trade, a woman rights advocate revealed.

Carmelita Nuqui, executive director of the Development Action for Women (DAWN), said some 3,000 to 4,000 Filipino entertainers work around the 50 American bases in South Korea.

Many of these women, who entered the affluent East Asian country using entertainer or E-6 visas, are forced into prostitution and receive low salaries of 200 to 250 dollars a month.

“The situation of the women entertainers in Korea are not different from those in Japan,” said Nuqui at a forum of the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch on Wednesday.

“They enter using valid entertainer visas. They are forced to perform work beyond singing and dancing,” she said.

“Their employers -- the club owners and managers -- confiscate their passports and alien registration cards to ensure that the women do not run away,” Nuqui said.

A portion of their salary is withheld, “forcing them to supplement their income by engaging in other activities, including sexual services,” she said.

The DAWN is demanding a stop to the issuance of the E-6 visa, or at least to limit it to qualified entertainers with contracts to perform in five-star hotels or similar reputable establishments, said Nuqui.

Nuqui recalled that during her trip to South Korea in August, she noticed that those working in clubs near the US military bases were made to wear sexy outfits, perform on stage, and sell drinks to customers. If they refuse, they risk not getting their salaries.

In contrast, she said those working in hotels earn more and work under better conditions.

Nuqui said the position of DAWN on entertainer visas is the same as those of two former Philippine ambassadors to Seoul -- Juanito Jarasa and Aladin Villacorte.

“We urge the United States of America to take a second look at the trafficking of women in Korea, as well as the reported involvement of US military personnel,” she said.

Citing statistics, Nuqui said 47,000 Filipinos are in South Korea working as factory workers, entertainers, and domestic workers.

During last week's visit of Ambassador John Miller, director of the US State Department's office to fight human trafficking, Nuqui said she pointed out this new trend.

Miller said human trafficking amounted to modern-day slavery, adding that most victims in the Philippines "are involved in forced prostitution or domestic servitude slavery."

He said poor policing and corruption were hindering a crackdown on human trafficking in the Philippines.

Last month, the United States named the Philippines as a source, transit point and destination for trafficked women, men and children. Its annual Trafficking in Persons report named 24 other countries in the same category.