Recognizing the need to develop synergy and committed action in empowering the trafficked persons with sustainable livelihood options and also the need for synergy among all stakeholders in addressing human trafficking from a holistic purpose, UNODC (Project IND/S16 on Anti Human Trafficking) initiated a dialogue with multiple stake holders in Kolkata. The process commenced with close partnership with the Kolkata police. Using their good offices, the Kolkata Core Group on Anti Human Trafficking - KCGAHT - was set up on 10 December 2007. The deliberations were carried further in subsequent meetings. The third meeting of the Core Group was held on 18 March 2008 in the office of the Commissioner of Police in the presence of representatives of business and corporate houses, Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), NGOs and senior police officials of Kolkata City Police. The meeting was chaired jointly by Mr. Gautam Chakraborti, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata and Dr. P M Nair, Project Coordinator, UNODC and was attended by 20 representatives. After a brief review of the earlier decisions and actions, it was decided that this meeting will move into firm action. The important decisions taken in this meeting are as follows:
37 adult women survivors of trafficking (who were recently rescued by the UNODC - trained police officers of West Bengal state) and those who are still with the NGOs awaiting rehabilitation will be provided training and sustainable employment by the business houses and the various Chambers of Commerce. ITC Sonar Bangla, Oberoi Hotel, Taj Group of Hotels, Messrs. Ram Swarup Industries, Merchant Chamber of Commerce and Confederation of Indian Industries agreed to provide jobs to 10, 5, 5, 2, 5 and 10 survivors respectively. The employments will be provided depending on the interest, willingness, capability and 'best interest' of the rescued persons. It was decided that in order to facilitate the selection process, a meeting will be held in the office of Addl. Commissioner of Police, in the following week when the HR representatives of these agencies/ business houses will meet the NGO representatives with the list of survivors and their profiles.
Considering the scope for running fast food joints, it was decided to set up two such units. Allahabad Bank came forward to finance two mobile food vans and the necessary equipment/ accessories, each of which will be run by 5 survivors, who are already available in the NGO homes. These mobile food vans will be located at Salt Lake and Siliguri. Sanlaap will link up with Allahabad Bank and ensure follow up action in a month's time. Addl. Commissioner of Kolkata Police agreed to liaise with the district officials for procuring the necessary sanction/ approval/ licence, if any, required for setting up the food vans.
Mr. Yash Goenka who represented Ravi Auto and is also a part of the West Bengal State Council, CII, agreed to provide a space to the survivors to run a kiosk where they could display and sell the items produced by the various survivors, living in the NGO shelter homes, especially handicrafts and other related items.
95 child survivors of trafficking, who have been rescued recently have been profiled by the NGOs, initiated by Women's Coordinating Council (WCC). These children would be provided formal/ non-formal/ vocational education/ training by the NGOs and this will be fully funded by the Indian Chamber of Commerce. The WCC agreed to take up the responsibility of coordinating with other NGOs and Government run Shelter Homes to update the Case Management Profile of all the children and thereupon categorize them into various groups so that it could be clear as to which category will require what type of education/training. It was decided that WCC, with this list, along with other NGOs concerned and the representative of ICC will meet in the office of the Addl. CP on 29th March 2008 to finalize the follow up action.
The representative of the Oberoi Hotel proposed to visit the Shelter Home of Sanlaap to identify the suitability/ potential of at least 25 adult victims/ survivors towards employability in various jobs in the hotel, such as, laundry, house keeping, food production, facility maintenance, etc. After training, it would be possible for the sub-contractors of the hotel to absorb the trained survivors into regular jobs. The hotel representative agreed to advise the sub - contractors accordingly and follow it up.
The Women's Coordinating Council agreed to empower three survivors to become auto rickshaw drivers. They will be taking steps for training them and getting the appropriate financial support from the bank for procuring the auto rickshaws. They requested help of the police officials in ensuring safety and security. The Kolkata Police officers agreed to consider facilitating separate queues for males and females in the waiting sheds of bus, autos, etc. This would facilitate the women auto rickshaw drivers to place themselves appropriately and go for women passengers if they so like.
The translation into Bangla of 4 posters of UNODC on anti human trafficking messages is being supported by CII. The translation has been done by Sanlaap, Kolkata and CII is taking steps for getting 12,000 copies printed. They should be available before mid April, so that they could be officially launched thereafter. CII decided to organize an appropriate event for the same.
The conversion of the UNODC film, 'One Life, No Price' from DVD to a film format with Bangla sub - titles was also in process. It would be accomplished before mid-April. The financial cost of this venture is being supported by Mr. Jhunjhunwala, Chairman of the West Bengal State Council of CII. Mr. Jhunjhunwala owns a company by the name of Ramsarup Industries and is presently in the process of setting up a new steel plant in Durgapur, West Bengal. As a tool for large scale public awareness on anti human trafficking, the film will be run in the Metro Stations, Shopping Malls (with the support of Mr. Yash Goenka), Cinema Halls and Television Channels. The Commissioner of Police agreed to take steps in this process. Kolkata police will also liaise with other police officers in West Bengal and facilitate the screening of this film in all the theatres in the state.
The translation into Bangla of the Standard Operating Procedures on Investigation of Crimes of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation was completed by Mr. Manabendra Mandal of SLARTC. The expenditure of same will be borne by SREI, a business group from Kolkata. Ms. Gargi Mitra, spoke on behalf of SREI as this is also a CII member company. The work is in progress and will be completed by mid April 2008. Thereafter, the Bangla version could be officially launched and widely disseminated to all police units with the support of Commissioner of Police, Kolkata.
Two radio spots with messages on anti human trafficking, which were prepared by ITC along with the NGO Jabala were narrated to the participants. One of these messages was chosen for airing on various radio channels for awareness generation. ITC officials agreed to liaise with the media agencies and take appropriate steps in this regard.
The representative of Allahabad Bank informed that there are certain abandoned buildings in the city of Kolkata, lying unused for years and that steps could be initiated to find place for showcasing and sale of the products like handicrafts, etc. being produced by the self-employed survivors or NGO supported survivors. Usage of unused buildings as shopping malls was to be taken up by the Merchant Chamber of Commerce. It was decided that a concept note would be developed about the ownership, possession, title, suitability, etc. of these buildings and it could be discussed subsequently in the Core Group Meeting.
It was suggested that since many malls are coming up in and around Kolkata it could be considered whether, the proprietors/ sponsors of the malls could be advised to provide some space to the Self Help Groups of the survivors to use as outlets for sale of their products. It was decided that the NGO representatives or anybody who is aware of any such upcoming mall may bring it to the notice of Addl. CP so that the latter could liaise with the concerned proprietors and see what is possible.
A suggestion came up that the Core Group should have representation from the Municipal Corporation of Kolkata as well as the Hospitals and the Transport Companies. Addl. CP agreed to invite their representatives in the subsequent meetings.
The next meeting of the Core Group is scheduled to be held in the Conference Hall of the Commissioner of Police at 1100 hrs on 11 April 2008.
