/** labr.global: 201.0 **/
** Topic: Unions Protest Asian Sex Slave Trade **
** Written 10:58 AM May 11, 1996 by labornews in cdp:labr.global **
From: Institute for Global Communications <labornews@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Unions Protest Asian Sex Slave Trade
THE local authorities are being urged to work with their counterparts in the Philippines to halt the trafficking of women to the territory.
The Asian Domestic Workers Union (ADWU) and United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL) made their appeal after The Hongkong Standard revealed on Thursday the nightmare a 16-year-old Filipina went through in the territory.
"Anna'', was lured here to work as a domestic helper but was forced into service as a prostitute. The girl, who was a virgin, was made to have sex with six men on her first night before managing to escape the next day.
Anna went home on Wednesday and was taken to a centre for battered women.
ADWU chairwoman Remy Borlongan said Anna was just one of the hundreds of Filipinas who became victims of syndicates operating in Hong Kong and Manila.
"It's high time both governments sat down and discussed this issue,'' she said.
Ms Borlongan said she had heard of Filipinas recruited as domestic helpers in Manila who ended up working in brothels here. Women from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka women had also been forced into the sex trade.
UNIFIL chairman Connie Regalado said most victims who managed to escape were immediately repatriated for fear they would be hunted by the syndicates.
"We would like the police to investigate, but we have to respect the victim if she doesn't want to file a complaint and testify in court.''
Ms Regalado said most Filipinas who became victims of sexual abuse did not usually want to recall their ordeal.
Philippine labour attache in Hong Kong Virginia Son said that the the police had not been informed of Anna's case because she was begging to go home.
"How can we push for an investigation if she does not want to file a complaint?'' she asked. The Hong Kong police said they had not been notified of the case.
Hong Kong
.hkstandard