Topic:
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Rousseau Mamo
Human trafficking, as the United Nations describes it, is “…global and widespread crimes that use men, women and children for profit.” Around the world, many nations struggle with the issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking can appear in many different forms: sexual exploitation, forced marriage, forced labor, child labor, and much more alike.
The Republic of the Philippines currently struggles with the practice of human trafficking. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Philippines is a tier 1 country when it comes to improving human trafficking. The most prominent trafficking related crimes are related to forced labor, and sexual exploitation. Article VIII, Section 12, of R.A. 7610 allows children below 15 years old to work, if they can get a permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Studies have proven that the anti-child-labor laws actually had a negative impact upon the country’s economy, and it left it in a worse state than it was prior to the law. Another use of forced labor is modern versions of slavery. Currently, the estimated amount for victims of slavery is 784,000, many of which are underage, and many are forced into marriage. These methods of labor are used because of the economic demands and situations the Philippines get put into though. Out of 121 countries, the Philippines is rated 69th for poverty, which means that the Philippines have a moderate level of poverty. Additionally, the Philippines is ranked as the 40th biggest exporter for labor. This means that the Philippines has to supply a continuous amount of labor, and the only labor sources that exist are child labor and slavery. The Philippines also relies on these labor sources to combat the prominent poverty within the nation. These positions of labor are often beneficial, they produce incomes for families, and keep the laborers from living in poverty. Sexual exploitation is also a recurring issue, The Philippines has reported commercial sexual exploitation where sometimes victims experience forced marriage, forced harm and abuse, and forced sexual actions.
The Philippines wants to take action upon the matter but there are many obstacles in the way. One of the biggest concerns is the economical effects; loss of labor supply, loss of revenue, decrease in GDP, and an increase of poverty. Additionally, the effects of peoples’ lives is another important matter. Without jobs, people will not be able to supply their families (or just themselves) with an income. These concerns play into the actions that will be taken by the Philippines, and all decisions will be deeply considered for the sake of the people. The main issue that arises when removing labor and income sources is the poverty that will follow, the Philippines is a country that is too poor to be giving up some of its biggest profit-makers, therefore the Philippines needs support and aid if it will agree with anti-trafficking policies.
Works Cited:
Alexander Sauer. “UNODC – Human Trafficking.” Unodc.org, 2019, www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/index.html.
“Department of Labor and Employment.” Www.dole.gov.ph, www.dole.gov.ph/.
Gould, Hannah. “What Fuels Human Trafficking?” UNICEF USA, UNICEF, 13 Jan. 2017, www.unicefusa.org/stories/what-fuels-human-trafficking.
U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Department of State | Home Page.” State.gov, 2019, www.state.gov/.
V. Edmonds, Eric, and Caroline Theoharides. Child Labor and Economic Development, July 2020.
