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PM Vows To 'Wipe Out' Child Trafficking In UK

PM Vows To 'Wipe Out' Child Trafficking In UK

David Cameron has become the first British Prime Minister to visit Vietnam and has promised to "wipe out" child trafficking in the UK.

Vietnam has long been the source of criminal gangs which ruthlessly export child labour to Britain.

Experts estimate that 3,000 Vietnamese children have been trafficked into the UK by such gangs - often to work in cannabis farms and nail bars.

Prior to his arrival in Hanoi, Mr Cameron insisted "the scourge of modern slavery has no place in today's society".

He added: "It is shocking that thousands of Vietnamese children in the UK are being used for profit by criminal gangs, and that dozens more children are estimated to arrive on our shores every month.

"That's why it's so important that we work with Vietnam to identify what more we can do to tackle this issue together."

Under new plans to be enforced from October, all large companies in Britain with factories abroad will be obliged to publish annual slavery and human trafficking statements.

The businesses will have to describe the steps they have taken to ensure no human trafficking takes place in their factories.

Retailers such as Primark and the Co-op Group have welcomed the move.

Mr Cameron also unveiled plans to offer further support for trafficking victims returning to Vietnam, including shelters and information centres.

Additionally, the UK's independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland, will make a visit to Vietnam in the autumn.

In March, the coalition government passed the Modern Slavery Act - and on Friday, some of its key measures will come into force.

"Trafficking repatriation orders" aim to encourage the courts to use seized assets to compensate victims, while prevention orders will restrict the activities of potential slave masters.