Demand to amend Anti-Trafficking Bill

Musheerabad: Demanding redrafting of Anti-Trafficking Bill,the United Women and Transgenders Associations Front staged a protest at Dharna chowk, near Indira Park here on Monday. Cine journalist and social activist Sajaya, social worker Devi, president of a noted voluntary organization,KondaveetiSathyavathi, Sumithra, Sunitha, Liji, Parveen, Vaijayanthi, Chandramukhi and other women activists spoke on the occasion.

Addressing the media, Sajaya said that the Bill which has been already passed in Lok Sabha is being introduced in Rajya Sabha in the current winter session. She said that there are laws for preventing trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children such as 370 and 370A and the Bill will only result in further confusion. There is a need for a comprehensive bill that gives rights to victims and it should be formulated only after consulting trade unions and women associations, she said. She said that the Bill does not cover transgenders, bonded labours and expatriate labours.

There is no provision in the Bill to penalize the broker system which encourages sexual exploitation, she said. Moreover, the Bill fails to provide clarity on its position vis-à-vis other laws which deal with human trafficking and exploitation, she added. Terming the bill as faulty, she said that the exploitation of labour would increase even further with the passing of the Bill.Sajayademanded the Bill to be sent back to the standing committee and be redrafted after consultation with trade unions and other associations which stand for victims.