Cambodian *** workers better off home than Australia say officials
Posted : Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:27:00 GMT
Author : DPA
Phnom Penh - Cambodian officials expressed concern Wednesday after an
Australian *** worker association called for skilled migrant visas for
foreign prostitutes willing to work there, citing an Australian
shortage. Cambodia, infamous for its flesh trade, would not allow ***
workers to travel to Australia on skilled migrant visas to ply their
trade if it could possibly help it, government spokesman Khieu
Kanharith said.
"We just banned marriages to foreigners because of exploitation
issues. Now it is difficult to marry a Cambodian, but for *** work it
will be even more difficult," he said by telephone.
Cambodia banned marriages to foreigners earlier this month, citing
potential abuse of often under-educated and poor Cambodian women who
often do not understand their rights.
Australia's Scarlet Alliance, a lobby group for brothel owners,
Tuesday demanded a skilled migration stream for foreign *** workers,
saying Australia needs them as much as it needs more doctors.
"We are seeking a human rights approach to labour migration generally,
so that any labour migration policy can include a non-discriminatory
approach to *** workers as well," Scarlet Alliance spokesperson Elena
Jeffreys told national broadcaster ABC Tuesday.
She said that the millions of dollars a year the immigration
department spent on de****tations and brothel raids would be saved if
*** workers could apply for visas under the skilled migrant category.
However, Cambodia urged caution when suggesting such a scheme.
Cambodian officials and rights activists pointed out Wednesday that
most Cambodian *** workers, some of whom currently work for as little
as 1.25 dollars a client and rarely fit criteria for an Australian
work visa, were ripe for exploitation.
"We would not sup****t a proposal like this, but of course it is up to
the individual *** workers whether they apply," leading rights
activist Kek Galabru said by telephone "I will advise against it."
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