Kurdistan gov’t vows to crack down on human traffickers

KURDISTAN TRAFFICKING: Philippine Embassy in Baghdad Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato thanks Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Jalal Talabani and Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Mohammad Qadir of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq for the successful rescue and repatriation of 10 Filipina trafficking victims from Erbil. The embassy said the rescue and repatriation would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Kurdistan Regional Government. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ERBIL, Iraq—Overseas Filipino workers here were assured protection by the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, which vowed to intensify efforts to go after human trafficking syndicates that have victimized many migrant workers.

No less than Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Jalal Talabani gave the assurance after Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato thanked him for the important role played by the Kurdistan Regional Government in ensuring the successful rescue and repatriation of 10 Filipina trafficking victims in Erbil.

“We are one with you in the fight against human trafficking,” Deputy Talabani said. “You can count on the full support and cooperation of the Kurdistan Regional Government in your efforts.”

During the meeting, Talabani and Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Mohammad Qadir informed the Philippine Embassy that the regional government will be putting in place additional measures to better protect Filipino and other migrant workers.

“Once these measures are in place, Filipino workers will be better protected here in Kurdistan,” said.

Cato thanked regional officials for the successful rescue of the 10 trafficking victims, during separate meetings with Interior Minister Karim Sinjari, Foreign Relations Minister Falla Mustafa Bakir and Information Minister Safeen Muhsin Dizayee.

The 10 Filipina victims, who worked at a spa operated by a Lebanese national in Erbil, were rescued by the embassy and the Ministry of Interior after three of the women escaped and reported that they were being subjected to exploitation and abuse. The embassy had been monitoring the spa since July following the escape of two other Filipina employees.

The Ministry of Interior closed down the establishment, arrested the employer and filed charges against him in court. The victims were repatriated to Manila on Thursday, November 5 with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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