National Campaign for Safe Travel while Migrating for Employment

22 August 2011 Chengdu — All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) in cooperation with the Ministry of Railways (MOR) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) launched the national campaign to increase awareness of trafficking prevention and safety during migration for decent employment. The campaign is being conducted in major railway stations in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness for safe travel and to prevent trafficking of young migrant workers and children travelling by train at the end of the summer vacation and beginning of the new school year.

The campaign was officially launched at the Chengdu North railway station on Monday, 22 August 2011. The key message of the campaign is to migrate and travel safely by being aware of the risks of trafficking for labour exploitation, preparing in advance for your travel, sharing your travel plans with immediate family and taking care during travel by remaining alert to offers from strangers and other suspicious behaviour.

^{Volunteers with their ribbons and certificates presented by officials from the ACWF, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Public Security, the Sichuan Women’s Federation and the International Labour Organization}

Information kiosks, interactive touch screen panels and other publicity displays in the main square In front of the Chengdu North railway station attracted many passengers and provided important messages to ensure safe travel.

Inside the train station, officials and volunteers distributed information booklets to waiting passengers. On the train platform where T-8 was awaiting passengers to board, Ms. Zhen Yan, Vice President of ACWF and Secretary of the Secretariat briefed the 12 volunteers from the law school of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics of the importance of protecting the rights of migrant workers. She thanked the volunteers for their willingness to travel on the train to distribute materials and to talk with passengers about trafficking for labour exploitation and ways to protect themselves for safe travel and decent employment.

Mr. Chen Shiqu, Director of Anti-trafficking Office, Ministry of Public Security and Mr. Guo Wenqiang, Deputy Director, Communications Department, Ministry of Railways stated that protecting the public from trafficking for labour exploitation required the combined efforts of the Women’s Federation, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Railways. They expressed appreciation to Mr. Charles Joyner, Chief Technical Advisor of the CP-TING Project-ILO for supporting the campaign. Ms. Lindsay Margenau, Vice Consul, Trade Commissioner from the Chongqing Consulate of the Government of Canada also participated in the opening ceremony.  

^{Photo source: http://www.womenofchina.cn/html/report/132947-0.htm}