As has been recently discovered, the US contractors supporting our military in Iraq have apparently used techniques which squarely fall in the
category of human trafficking, such as confiscating passports of labourers hired abroad. Other allegations include unfair hiring practices by the
rectruiters and squalid living conditions of the workers.
www.mercurynews.com
The top U.S. commander in Iraq has ordered sweeping changes for privatized military support operations after confirming violations of
human-trafficking laws and other abuses by contractors involving possibly thousands of foreign workers on American bases, according to records
obtained by the Chicago Tribune.
Gen. George Casey ordered that contractors be required by May 1 to return passports that have been illegally confiscated from laborers on U.S. bases
after determining that such practices violated U.S. laws against trafficking for forced or coerced labor. Human brokers and subcontractors from South
Asia to the Middle East have worked together to import thousands of laborers into Iraq from impoverished countries.
Two memos obtained by the Tribune indicate that Casey's office concluded that the practice of confiscating passports from such workers was both
widespread on American bases and in violation of the U.S. trafficking laws.
The memos, including an order dated April 4 and titled "Subject: Prevention of Trafficking in Persons in MNF-I," or Multinational Forces-Iraq, say
the military also confirmed a host of other abuses during an inspection of contracting activities supporting the U.S. military in Iraq. They include
deceptive hiring practices; excessive fees charged by overseas job brokers who lure workers into Iraq; substandard living conditions once laborers
arrive; violations of Iraqi immigration laws; and a lack of mandatory "awareness training" on U.S. bases concerning human trafficking.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
I can understand that contractor's job in a warzone is a hard and sometimes cut-throat business (no pun intended). Still, it is appalling to see
that these pratices appear to be widespread. At least it's good to hear that the military does something about it.
[edit on 25-4-2006 by Aelita]
[edit on 25-4-2006 by Aelita]
