Taipei, July 5 (CNA) The Taiwan government's efforts to combat human trafficking have been recognized and the U.S. welcomes the more proactive and concrete actions being taken in the coming year, a visiting U.S. State Department official said Thursday.
"Taiwan faces a multi-dimensional threat in the trafficking of persons, in part by virtue of its progress in creating a free and prosperous society. Once primarily a source of trafficked persons, Taiwan is now largely a destination, " said Mark Taylor, Senior Coordinator for Trafficking in Persons.
Taiwan was classified as a "Tier 2" country in the 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department in June 12, upgraded from a "Tier 2 Watch List" country in 2006.
The positive actions of the Taiwanese government were largely responsible for its removal from the watch list, Taylor said, noting that an inter-ministerial task force has been set up, and a comprehensive plan of action drafted and enacted. Revisions of Taiwan's laws, aimed at dealing effectively with all modern forms of slavery, are being drafted, passed by the Legislative Yuan, and
implemented by Taiwanese authorities.
"This preliminary progress, however, needs to be accompanied by even greater efforts to protect exploited migrant laborers and foreign women who have come to Taiwan legally or illegally, as wives or workers, but who have ended up in slave-like conditions, " said Taylor.
Debt that contract migrant workers owe to recruitment agencies or brokers is often overlooked, resulting in substantial debts that agencies or employers use as a tool to enforce what effectively amounts to involuntary servitude, Taylor noted.
Taylor encouraged the Taiwanese government to be proactive in identifying victims and traffickers, and offering victims clear legal and financial incentives to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement officials.
For Taiwan to move up to "Tier 1, " Taylor said it should have more victims identified, more criminals prosecuted, and make improvements on the legislative front. Equally important will be providing victim with both governmental and non-government organization (NGO) services.
Taylor, who is on the last leg of his Asian visit, is scheduled to meet with officials from the Ministry of Interior, legislators and representatives of local NGOs before returning Washington July 7.