TV report transcript
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has repeated her support for the fight against trafficking in human beings. She spoke at a meeting of representatives of the United States, Canada and Mexico on trafficking in Persons in North America.
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao outlined the international scope of human trafficking during a conference in Washington DC. She demanded a vigorous and sustained international effort to rescue victims and protect future generations.
ELAINE CHAO, LABOR SECRETARY
"There is nothing more demeaning and debilitating to the dignity of the human spirit than for a man, woman and children to be trafficked. It is a form of modern day slavery."
Every year over 600,000 people are trafficked across international borders to be used as labor or sexual slaves. More than 17,000 of them are in the United States. U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said the U.S. government is waging war against the traffickers.
ELAINE CHAO
"A lot, including children, are trafficked into the sex trade underworld and many others are exploited as laborers with no rights, no pay and no way to escape. The problem is worldwide and it is daunting."
The Conference is part of the ongoing cooperative activities among the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States.