Obama Names Indian American Labor Trafficking Survivor to U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking

President Barack Obama, Dec. 16, announced several administration posts in the Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.

One of the new appointed members include Indian American Harold d’Souza who himself had been a victim of Human Trafficking when he came to the United States in 2003.

Other members of the council are Evelyn Chumbow, Minh Dang, Tina Frundt, Ima Matul Maisaroh, Ronny Marty, Florencia Molina, Bukola Love Oriola, Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman, Sheila White and Shandra Woworuntu, reports India West.

The International Labour Organization estimated the total market value of human trafficking to be $32 billion in 2005. Those profits have since ballooned to $96 billion globally, according to a study released by the Ricky Martin Foundation in May.

 

Mr Obama announced his intent to appoint the several individuals to key Administration posts.

“I am honoured that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them,” Mr Obama said in a statement.

Currently, D’Souza is a senior supply chain associate for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, a position in which he has held for the last 6 years.

He is also a founding member of the National Survivor Network and is active with End Slavery Cincinnati.

Earlier in his career, he served as a Sales Manager in India.

Mr D’Souza received an LLB and M Com from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara.

“I am a survivor of labour trafficking and debt bondage and a dedicated advocate against human trafficking,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

This year, the Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Conference 2015 invited him to be an advocate for creating awareness about human trafficking in the community.

“My personal philosophy is to fix the problem and not continuing cycles of blame. I show this attitude by serving individuals in the Greater Cincinnati area through community service. Many would describe me as self-disciplined, responsible, and courteous; and, it my intent to never fall short of these expectations,” he wrote on his LinkedIn profile.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center can be reached at (888) 373-7888.

Read : The D’Souza family’s story of human trafficking

 

 

Be the first to comment

The Indian Panorama - Best Indian American Newspaper in New York & Dallas - Comments