Breaking the chains of human trafficking in Hong Kong
Archana Kotecha says though the cogs of legal reform turn slowly, much can still be done in Hong Kong to combat human trafficking and improve the plight of victims, ultimately benefiting society
We are at a crossroads. Human trafficking is a human rights violation that cuts across different echelons of society and has a devastating impact not only on its victims but also on the societies where it exists. Hong Kong has various nationalities of sex workers, migrant workers, asylum seekers and young people from underprivileged backgrounds, all groups affected by human trafficking.
Trafficking also attacks the very fabric of society, as it is a form of organised crime that encourages the proliferation of crime and undermines the rule of law.
For us to move forward, we must acknowledge that trafficking for forced labour and debt bondage do take place in Hong Kong. This involves recognising the need for legal reform, renewed victim protection measures, better investigation, collaboration between organisations, improved data collection and management systems, and getting in line with the international definition of human trafficking.
Prolonging the status quo is fraught with difficulties given recent events, in particular employer brutality against foreign domestic helpers like Kartika Puspitasari and the alleged abuse of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih - plus reports of extreme overcharging of agency fees, which often leads to debt bondage.
There is mounting pressure on the government to address the issue of trafficking for forced labour. Hong Kong's reputation as a leading society in Asia surely must preclude it from maintaining the status quo. Acknowledging and attempting to resolve the issue will ultimately benefit Hong Kong as a society, and the communities that rely on domestic workers to allow households to function.
The relatively recent amendment to the Prosecution Code, which reflects the internationally accepted understanding of human trafficking, is a strong prelude to positive action on the counter-trafficking scene. We now have the opportunity to lead the way in Asia by making changes that will protect victims and society while interrupting the activities of traffickers.
It is true that legal reform is a slow and intensive process. But, while the government rightly considers its stance and conducts an assessment for new anti-trafficking legislation or amendments to existing laws, much can be done to improve the plight of victims affected by trafficking for forced labour.