Six Women Held in Sexual Servitude

In a recent court case in Sydney the jury heard how a woman had forced six immigrant women into sexual servitude.  After being recruited in Malaysia and brought to Australia on student visas the six women were forced to work in a brothel in Sydney.  With little or no English they were told they had to work until they had repaid the $5,000 expenses incurred in bringing them to Australia. This conviction, along with the recent passing of new Australian legislation on Slavery, Slavery -like Conditions and People Trafficking send a clear message that slavery and human trafficking are not acceptable in Australia.  More information about the case can be found here.

Easter Message from Pope Francis

In his Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter, 2013, Pope Francis commented that “the power of Christ’s Resurrection, this passover from slavery to evil to the freedom of goodness, must be accomplished in every age.”  

He went on to encourage all people to work for and pray for peace.  “Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this twenty-first century.”

Social Responsibility in Thai Food Industry

The Thai Food Processors’ Association (TFPA) has publicly come out in support of Andy Hall and the research he did, countering the Natural Fruit company that is seeking to have Andy imprisoned and fined up to $10 million. The statement reiterates the TPFAs commitment to oppose child labour, forced labour and human trafficking.

In a statement released on 29th March 2013 TFPA indicated its members welcome independent researches, including the recent report by Finnwatch, which may report on weaknesses in the social responsibility programs of the food industry in Thailand. This will assist TFPA and its members to coherently implement further action plans in order to comply with social compliance requirements of importing countries and to uphold greater social standards.

View a copy of the TFPA statement here.