National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy on Thursday expressed deep concerns over the human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago, noting that it is increasing at an "uncomfortable rate".Speaking at the post-Cabinet press media conference at the Coco Reef hotel in Tobago, Sandy said the government will pass laws to deal with the problem.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar noted that Trinidad and Tobago was ranked on tier two with respect to trafficking of persons although there is no statistical evidence of persons trafficked.
She said she American ambassador to Port of Spain explained that the country got a bad rating because of the absence of legislation to deal with human trafficking.
Persad-Bissessar said she has discussed with the ambassador ways in which the United States can partner with the Government in dealing with the crime of human trafficking.
Sandy said there is "anecdotal data" which indicates the steady growth of trafficking of persons although there is no hard evidence to show that the hundreds who have disappeared are victims of human trafficking.
"We...have recognised in recent times the disappearance in particular of young people and women, and as such we thought that we should do something in organising legislation to that effect," Sandy said.
"Human trafficking, which is one aspect of transnational organised crime, is a rapidly growing phenomenon across the globe. In the past 10 years trade in human cargo has been growing exponentially and is currently the second most profitable criminal activity worldwide, surpassed only by narcotic trafficking," Sandy said.
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