Susan Kneebone Emeritus Associate Castan Centre 17 May 2013
Incudes ‘labour trafficking’ A ‘bifurcated’ approach to human trafficking distorts the focus The exploitation covered by the Trafficking Protocol includes ‘labour trafficking’ Forced labour is an extreme example of exploitation
Australia: The early response to trafficking focused on prostitution and illegal migration The legislation reflected that focus The ‘457’ visa issue International students
It is connected The region knew from the beginning that ‘human trafficking’ = people moving to work Victims of labour trafficking are (mostly) migrant workers It is a transnational issue (mostly) [But we need to recognise internal trafficking]
The anti- trafficking framework requires Prevention Protection and Cooperation (Federal \ state and transnational)
We need campaigns targeted at particular industries Eg, construction, hospitality, plus international students We need to bring in the unions and other labour abuse scrutineers To recognise the human rights dimension …
A focus on protection brings the victim into the picture Without victims criminalisation is ineffective
No The Criminal Code is too narrowly focused It does not capture the whole essence of the trafficking process Further it is not transnational in operation The exploitation mostly begins at an overseas point Issues with recruitment \ pre-departure training at source Australia’s current efforts on anti-trafficking in the region
Australia could learn a lot from the region and take a leadership role As distinct from a defensive stance Issues with bilateral arrangements in the region The need for a stronger focus on state responsibilities to migrant workers
And from our neighbours THANK YOU!