Global Centurion: May Newsletter
New Laws Take Aim at Human Trafficking in Government Contracting
Although federal government contractors have long been prohibited from engaging in human trafficking, in recent years, allegations of labor trafficking and sex trafficking in federal contracting have surfaced.[1] In Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. government, particularly Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of State (DoS), have need of a large labor pool for support services for our military and embassy.
DoD and DoS contract with U.S. companies, who become the prime contractors for providing this labor pool. The prime contractors often subcontract with companies headquartered in other countries. To cut costs and maximize profits, these subcontractors then sub-sub contract with companies using unlicensed brokers and recruiters to obtain laborers for large service contracts. The laborers are promised good jobs in resource rich countries but then are trafficked into war torn or resource poor countries where they are in virtual slave labor. In this way, the US government and its prime contractors have been implicated in human trafficking, including labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and related crimes. In some cases the allegations have been egregious: laborers have been forced into debt bondage to obtain jobs; their passports are taken and held so they cannot leave; their salaries are delayed, withheld, or not paid at all; they are housed in dilapidated conditions, such as one case where nearly 1000 workers were in close quarters in a warehouse with one meal a day and not enough water for over a month.
Both the 2013 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) create new contractor obligations with respect to detecting and preventing human trafficking. Specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2013 includes comprehensive safeguards to target coercive labor practices that were not previously part of anti-trafficking practices, for instance, prohibiting contractors and subcontractors from:
- Destroying or denying employees access to their identifying documents;
- Using misleading or fraudulent recruitment practices; and,
- Providing substandard housing pursuant to host country standards. Contractors and subcontractors whose contract value exceeds $500,000, must have a anti-trafficking plan in place and implement a procedures to prevent, monitor, detect and terminate any subcontractor, employee or agent engaged in any of the prohibited activities.[2]
As reported in last months newsletter, Global Centurion Foundation is currently serving as Subject Matter Expert to the DoDs Combating Trafficking in Person Office (CTIP) to assist the Department in creating a five-year strategic plan to address human trafficking. (To read the 2013 TVPA clickHEREand to read the full NDAA, clickHERE.)
[2]See NDAA Section 17.
GCF Educational Curriculum for Middle and High School Students
Global Centurion Foundation has created a basic introduction to and overview of human trafficking for middle school and high school children and teens. A key component of the curriculum is a focus on demand reduction. The curriculum describes various types of human trafficking (sex trafficking and labor trafficking; international and domestic trafficking; adult and child trafficking).
The course introduces students to international, foreign national and U.S. law and policy on human trafficking, how to identify victims, and common health concerns among trafficking victims as background for a demand-related approach. The primary purpose of the program is to create age-appropriate modules to reach young men and boys and young women and girls –to help them make informed choices and reduce the demand. The curriculum includes a syllabus, teacher-training manual, basic materials and exercises, special in-class and extra-curricular projects; and, inter-active media technologies activities. Stay tuned for information later this year about our pilot of this program.
Do You Know the Next Norma Hotaling Award Recipient?
For the past four years, Global Centurion Foundation has recognized individuals and organizations in three areas of anti-trafficking work:
- Survivor-centered service providers;
- Innovative work to curb demand; and,
- Policy work addressing systemic change.
In this way we hope to honor and remember Norma Hotaling, who was a survivor of sex trafficking and an innovator of programs to help address sex trafficking. At the same time, support and recognize the work of abolitionists here in the U.S. and Canada who are carrying on in her vision.
Do you know someone who is a leader in the fight against modern slavery? We are currently accepting applications for this year’s recipients.Find out more here >>
Upcoming Events
Global Centurion Foundation President and Founder Laura J. Lederer, J.D. will be speaking at a number of events focused on global anti-trafficking efforts including the 2013 Trafficking in America Conference in Nashville. To read about or register for this and other GCF events,please visit our calendar.
Support Our Anti-Trafficking Efforts Today!
Throughout 2013, GCF seeks to greatly expand our efforts to fight modern day slavery by focusing on demand. Your tax-deductible gift of any amount will directly support GCFs demand-focused initiatives both here and abroad. Give Today >>