| In a desperate attempt to tackle the problem of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment.At least this is according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms Jennifer Webster,Cheap Jerseys China, who intimated during a recent interview that the efforts at arresting the practice have been nothing short of a challenge.Human Services Minister, Jennifer WebsterThe challenge,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, she noted, is particularly rooted in spread of the activities across Guyana’s vast geographic locations. She revealed that many of the TIP perpetrators are known to disguise their actions by venturing into mining camps located in hinterland communities. Being cognizant of such moves,Cheap NFL Jerseys, she revealed that the Human Services Ministry, through its collaboration, has so far been able to orchestrate at least two raids which have, however, turned up no results.“We plan the raids, turn up at the locations, and the people are gone. From the time we get the intelligence and we plan secret raids these people just get away and sometimes the residents don’t cooperate,” the Minister lamented.Despite this discouraging state of affairs, she disclosed that the Ministry was able to make some headway and has been able to have some perpetrators arrested and brought before the courts.However Minister Webster is adamant that the prevalence of TIP in Guyana is not as dire as some would like to suggest. In fact she insisted that a number of persons have been confusing prostitution with trafficking in persons, adding that “the few that we know about, sometimes when we get the information and we go after the people involved, they run away and cross the border…How are we to catch them?”“But I wouldn’t say that there is a high incidence,” the Minister reflected, even as she stressed that Government continues at the level of the National Task Force to work on initiatives aimed at preventing Trafficking in Persons. She admitted knowledge of reports of incidents of TIP involving young children in some hinterland areas, but disclosed that her Ministry is currently unveiling a number of sensitisation activities to address these. According to her, the Human Services Ministry is responsible for victim support, an undertaking which is required by law.“Once we get a report and we confirm that that person is a victim it is the usual responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security to support them.”Based on the Ministry’s 2011 Annual Report which was officially released in Parliament last month, a total of 14 persons were charged and brought before the court for human trafficking offences. The Report also details that financial and psychosocial support was provided to a total of nine alleged victims of TIP.As part of its continued effort to address the TIP situation, Minister Webster said that her Ministry is also collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UN agency,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, she said, has provided funding to undertake a number of initiatives to combat TIP. As a result,NFL Jerseys From China, a workshop has been planned for tomorrow at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, which is intended to serve as a forum to sensitise and train individuals as focal points within respective communities.This strategic move, she explained, will allow for the Ministry to form better linkages and be able to identify and work with persons and communities with a view of having them understand the definition of Trafficking in Persons. Once persons are familiar with TIP they will in turn be able to differentiate between instances of child labour and TIP, thereby allowing for cases to be reported more efficiently,NFL Jerseys From China, Minister Webster noted. |
