U.S. Labor Deputy Secretary Addresses Human Trafficking Issues at Congressional-Executive Commission Hearing on China

WASHINGTON — Deputy Labor Secretary Steven J. Law pointed out at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing today the enormous challenges that China faces as the worlds most populous country in combating human trafficking. Law was appointed to the Commission by President George W. Bush in 2004.

Given the enormous size of Chinas population, there is an urgent need to deal with human trafficking issues now, Law said. As migration within and outside the country expands, the problem of human trafficking has the potential to escalate immensely.

At the hearing, titled Combating Human Trafficking in China: Domestic and International Efforts, Law said that while trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon, the problem in China has some unique characteristics.

China is stepping forward to address a broad range of human rights and worker rights issues and the U.S. Department of Labor has provided technical support and other assistance for these efforts, Law said. Still, the interplay between forced marriage, one-child restrictions and rural-urban migration creates an atmosphere where human trafficking could explode, unless proactive measures are taken now.

An estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked within the borders of countries worldwide, including somewhere between 14,500 and 17,500 in the United States, according to the State Departments Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Building on its long history of working to protect and assist vulnerable workers, the Labor Department is engaged both domestically and internationally in efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Since 1995, the Department of Labor has provided more than $164 million to fund projects that help to combat trafficking in persons for the purpose of labor and commercial sexual exploitation. In fiscal year 2005 alone, the department provided $38.4 million to fund 13 projects with anti-trafficking components in 18 countries.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.