THREE PROPOSALS FOR PROGRAMS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING

UNCLAS AMMAN 001963 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM ELAB KCRM PREL SMIG JO SUBJECT: THREE PROPOSALS FOR PROGRAMS TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REF: A. STATE 28151 ¶B. STATE 75905 (U) In response to reftel A, post has solicited ideas from the NGO community in Jordan for programs to combat trafficking in persons. Post submits below the summaries of each. Further details will follow by email. A) 1- Applicant: Fathallah Omrani- General Trade Union of Workers in the Textile, Garment and Clothing Industries in Jordan 2- Requested funding amount: $45,580.00 3- Project title: "A Pilot Program in the Qualifying Industrial Zones" 4- Project duration: 12 months 5- Abstract: In the past year, the Textile Union has established offices in four of the major Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs). The GoJ partially funded the establishment of these offices, but since then has not renewed funding. This proposal is for a grant over a one year period to enable the Textile Union to maintain offices insides the QIZs, and to conduct an education/awareness campaign among the employers and workers to help them know their rights and responsibilities. Comment: Post notes that this project has already demonstrated success over the past year during which the union offices have been in place in the QIZs. It is Post's view that success of this project will lead to increased awareness among migrant workers of their rights, which may cause them to feel more confident in filing complaints against alleged traffickers, leading to increased prosecutions. Additionally, the union offices provide a centralized mechanism to address complaints with factory management and government inspectors. B) 1- Applicant: Jordan Evangelical Ministry 2- Requested funding amount: $162,964 3- Project Title: "A Shelter for Victims of Trafficking" 4- Project duration: 1 year to indefinite 5- Abstract: To provide a safe shelter for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who have run away from their employers alleging abuse or conditions that amount to indentured servitude. Many of these women are currently taking shelter in their own embassies that lack the resources to help them, or are in jail on expired residency permits. This project would provide them shelter, medical and psychological care and legal counseling until the women are ready to return to their employers, seek new employers, or be repatriated to their countries of origin. Comment: Post supports the idea of a shelter for victims of trafficking, and it is consistent with the Action Plan (ref B). However, GoJ buy-in would be necessary for this plan to succeed. C) 1-Applicant: Adaleh Center for Human Rights 2- Requested funding amount: $94,700 3- Project Title: "Advocacy to Combat Trafficking in Persons" 4- Project duration: 6 months 5- Abstract: This proposal has three parts. The first is a three day conference to be held in Amman for employees of the Ministries of Labor, Justice, Interior and the Public Security Directorate. The conference will include speakers from the U.S. and Jordan who are experts on TIP issues. The second part is a 6 month statistical study of TIP in Jordan to examine the conditions of migrant workers and determine their nationalities, legal status, etc. The third is a media awareness campaign. Comment: It is Post's view that the discrete conference portion is the strongest part of this proposal, and is consistent with the Action Plan (ref B) for Jordan to include anti-trafficking components into Law Enforcement training. Post sees a lack of detail in the descriptions of the proposed study and media awareness campaign. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE