An aid worker battling modern day slavery all over the world is calling for an investigation to see if human trafficking takes place in Bermuda.

Lionel Cann is part of the Salvation Army’s regional trafficking committee, which provides vital help to victims and pressures world leaders into action to protect millions of slaves across the globe.

According to Mr. Cann, the “exploitation” of some guest workers illegally employed on the Island could be an indication that serious forms of trafficking could exist.

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) has previously stated many guest workers are earning as little as five dollars an hour.

At a meeting next month, Mr. Cann is to ask fellow committee members to launch an inquiry. He said similar probes have revealed worrying levels of trafficking in Canada.

“I have been trying to get information from the Police as to whether or not trafficking exists in Bermuda,” said Mr. Cann.

“What I notice is that there may be the elements for trafficking. We have a great many people coming into the Island under the heading of guest workers.

“You have all kinds of foreign workers here, people from Asia or the West Indies. All kinds of people are coming here to work — at least under the pretence of work. Are we absolutely certain that they are legitimate?

“The BIU says guest workers are being exploited. If they have identified this, what else is there? It may be that the Salvation Army’s committee can do something to find out more.”

Mr. Cann said he would be prepared to be the investigation’s “foot soldier” in Bermuda.

“I am hoping the committee will be the catalyst to produce a report,” he added. “I can be the foot soldier and I can be trained. I deal with street people, homeless people, and I listen very carefully.”

Mr. Cann was speaking a few days ahead of the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.

The Royal Gazette has been marking the anniversary with its Break The Chains campaign, which highlights the plight of at least 12 million modern day slaves.

Mr. Cann said Break The Chains had helped reinforce his determination to stamp out human trafficking.

“The Royal Gazette’s>campaign has got me more interested to see what we are doing,” he said.

“Most of what we see in the US or Canada is to do with the sex trade. People come across as indentured workers and work in brothels. They’re used primarily in the sex industry, which is big business. There’s more money in terms of revenue from sex than drugs, which puts more threat upon the workers.

“You get big migrations of Asians who are going across to America, Canada, South America and places like Sweden as prostitutes.

“What grieves me the most is that little children, some younger than ten, are being sold off for the sex industry. Their lives are ruined before they even have an understanding of what life is about.”

He said victims were lured into the industry from economically deprived families, often in Asia.

“They are made promises of lucrative jobs but when they get there their passport is confiscated and they are made to work as prostitutes,” he said. “They are looking at a situation they can’t get out of.

“Some of them are just kept locked up, almost incarcerated. They are made to do whatever their employer — their captor — tells them to do.

“I never previously thought of slavery as a going business today. That’s what really blows my mind. The more I look at it, it’s impossible to understand.

“Sometimes I just feel like walking away from it. It’s monumental. It grieves me badly because I just don’t think we can do enough fast enough.”

Break The Chains has been calling for world leaders to take action to end modern day slavery. It is a goal the Salvation Army has been striving towards.

“We are trying to get Governments to change their whole perspectives towards trafficking,” said Mr. Cann.

“We have spoken with Parliament in Canada. The States have just adopted a resolution on how to treat people who are caught trafficking. That’s something we pushed for.

“At this stage we have to continue informing and enlightening, revealing those areas where it’s most prominent. It’s something we just have to keep doing and doing.”

The Salvation Army also sets up agencies and hostels to provide help for victims.

More than 17,900 people have signed Anti-Slavery International’s on-line petition, backed by Break The Chains, which calls for Governments to end all forms of human captivity, including human trafficking, child labour, bonded labour and forced marriage.

To sign the petition, go to www.antislavery.org/2007/actionsign and fill in your details. To comment on the campaign, call 278-0153 or email tsmith[AT]royalgazette.bm