Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

The Hub for Trafficking Filipinos to Russia

  • Published on
    November 27, 2017
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Domestic Slavery, Human Trafficking
Hero Banner

Today’s South China Morning Post editorial urges Hong Kong to take a stronger stance in addressing human trafficking. The Hong Kong government largely rejects the claim that the city has become a hub for traffickers, seemingly turning a blind eye to the problem.

While Hong Kong is a major destination for domestic workers coming from Southeast Asia, the SCMP reports that Hong Kong is also functioning as a base for recruitment agencies who are trafficking Filipino domestic workers to Russia, Turkey, and even Brazil.

A senior Philippine official has told the Post the city is a base for job recruitment fraud in which thousands of Filipino domestic helpers have been trafficked to Russia, Turkey and Brazil for bogus employment. He claimed that more than 4,000 undocumented Filipinos are working in Russia alone, most formerly from Hong Kong. These revelations came to light after the Philippine government slapped a three-week ban on foreign recruitment of its citizens by suspending the processing of overseas employment certificates. Manila cited reports of illegal recruitment and “pernicious activities of individuals preying on Filipinos”.

Confirming the concerns, Philippine consulate labour attaché, Jalilo Dela Torre, said some Hong Kong-registered recruitment agencies had promised helpers high-paying jobs in Moscow, lured them into breaking their contracts here and arranged flights, pocketing agency fees of up to HK$43,000.

Speaking to SCMP, one Filipino woman in Russia recounted how her recruitment agency harassed her family and forced her to pay HK$43,000, but upon arrival found that there was no employer waiting for her.

Hong Kong has repeatedly come under criticism from the US State Department, human rights activists, and lawyers who say that the city needs comprehensive laws to prosecute human traffickers.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

Haiti’s children are being forcibly recruited into violent gangs

Haiti's escalating gang violence is having a devastating impact on its most vulnerable citizens—children. Armed groups are increasingly recruiting boys and girls, offering them basic survival needs in exchange for their lives and freedom. According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), children are being lured into these violent organizations under the guise of protection and sustenance, but what follows is a life of exploitation that can only

| Wednesday October 9, 2024

Read more