NGOs submit petition to include three more clauses in Bill

A group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) behind an anti-trafficking campaign has submitted a petition to include three additional clauses guaranteeing the rights of trafficked victims in the Prevention of Human Trafficking Bill. The petition, which has so far gathered 1,050 signatures from migrant workers and Singaporeans, calls for a clause to ensure that victims have rights to accommodation, food, medical treatment, compensation and social support while their case is ongoing.

It also calls for a clause to ensure victims would not be prosecuted for being an undocumented immigrant or any other illegal immigration infractions that may have been committed while being trafficked.

The third suggested clause accords victims the right to work and earn a decent income while their case in ongoing.

The groups behind the petition — part of the StopTraffickingSG campaign — are the Association of Women for Action & Research, Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics, Transient Workers Count Too, Maruah, Project X and Singapore Committee for UN Women.

The petition was presented to Member of Parliament Christopher de Souza, who is spearheading the proposed Bill, ahead of the Parliament sitting yesterday.

After reading the draft Bill, the StopTraffickingSG Campaign said the protection and assistance outlined may not fully address the needs of trafficked victims. For example, it is unclear if protection and assistance are only rendered to sexually-exploited victims or if they extend to all trafficked victims.

The NGOs reiterated the need for a victim-centred approach that guarantees victims’ safety, livelihood and sustenance, saying it will “give victims the incentive to report, identify and testify against perpetrators”. “This will aid the effective prosecution of employers and recruiters involved in trafficking persons into Singapore and, in turn, assist the destruction of trafficking syndicates as well as bring justice to victims and reduce crimes that threaten the security of Singapore.” LAURA PHILOMIN