Golding leads shadow Cabinet discussion. - FILE
AS PART of the initiatives to tackle the problem of human trafficking, the Bruce Golding-led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) shadow Cabinet wants the Government to undertake an analysis of Jamaica's sex tourism sector.
This was one of several recommendations made during yesterday's shadow Cabinet meeting chaired by Mr. Golding. The party urged the Government to move swiftly to implement the necessary measures "to protect our citizens, especially women and children, from this type of exploitation, and to avoid the imposition of sanctions for our failure to do so".
Earlier this month, the United States gave Jamaica low marks for its efforts to stop the trafficking of persons into that country and warned of sanctions. United States officials said that Jamaica has failed "to follow through on previous commit-ments" to tackle the problem.
ENFORCE LAWS
The JLP shadow Cabinet wants the Government to: enact legislation to strengthen the Offences Against the Persons Act and enforce trafficking laws; implement the protocol to prevent trafficking in persons without further delay; establish a special unit to deal with trafficking in persons in the Organised Crime Investigation Division; appoint a Children's Advocate; and amend the Child Care and Protection Act to clearly define trafficking of children.
The Bruce Golding-led shadow cabinet proposals came a day after The Gleaner reported that at least three Air Jamaica employees have been barred from entering the U.S. for allegedly being involved in facilitating the illegal entry of people into that country.
Yesterday, the airline's management suggested that some of its employees might be guilty of sharing their passwords, resulting in authorised persons gaining access to secured areas at the two international airports.
The three airline employees are among several others who are now under the microscope of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on allegations of human trafficking.
CODES USED ILLEGALLY
According to U.S. immigration officials, signing codes were used illegally to check in three persons of Asian descent who were en route to Toronto, Canada, via Jamaica.
Keith Smith, vice-president of information technology at Air Jamaica, defended the integrity of the security system, which provides access to sensitive areas, including the airport ramp.
"My investigations and that of the providers reveal that in most cases this is caused by users sharing their account information - either they tell somebody or something," he explained. "It is virtually impossible (to break into the system) - it is as secure as any modern day computer system."
Mr. Smith told The Gleaner that he had extended an invitation to the National Workers Union (NWU), which represents the employees, to take in their own security consultants to analyse the soundness of the Sabre system.
Danny Roberts, vice-president of the NWU, indicated that they would take up the offer. "We have to ensure that the system that is in place is fool proof and protects the integrity of the workers," he said.
The components of the Sabre system include a three-letter user identification code and a signing code.
