This resolution, submitted by Swansea No. 1 Branch, was passed unanimously by RMT Women's Conference. It will now be submitted to RMT's 2009 Annual General Meeting.

That this Conference believes that Human Trafficking is a scandalous violation of human dignity.

In the UK the abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed on 25th March 1807. Two hundred years later there are still slaves in Britain.

Human Trafficking for the sex trade is a particularly brutal part of the wider criminal trade in people across international boundaries. This is a modern form of slavery where the victims suffer extreme violence and are living in constant fear. Trafficking related exploitation in the UK includes:-

• Domestic Servitude • Bonded Labour • Forced Marriage

While attempts are being made to crack down on trafficking gangs, we believe that the range of support for these victims could be improved.

With the Government signing the ‘Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings’ this is an excellent opportunity for us to campaign to raise the profile on the way in which these women are being treated.

As RMT women we are deeply concerned with the many issues that surround Human Trafficking and ask the Council of Executives to fully support this resolution by campaigning to raise the issues around Human Trafficking, some of which we have listed here.

A political campaign is needed to highlight the loss of dignity and human rights for these victims. The Council of Executives is urged to campaign for an Early Day Motion to be tabled over this unacceptable practice.