Goa NGO to start laundry to help sex workers

Victims of sex trafficking would soon own a small-scale industry in Goa's Sancoale Industrial Estate, thanks to an initiative taken by a non-government organisation (NGO), ARZ.

"About 40 victims of sex trafficking, will be setting up a laundry unit. This will be a huge mechanised unit with the capacity of handling 1,500 kg of clothes", Arun Pandey, director of the ARZ said.

He added, "Their association with the laundry business is pre-conditioned that they should give up sex trade."

Goa Governor SC Jamir will inaugurate the unit at a function, which will be attended by Chief secretary J P Singh and Goa's Director General of Police, Neeraj Kumar, on September 1.

The unit will be transferred in the victims' names by forming a women's cooperative, once it starts earning profit, Pandey said. The victims, mostly from Karnataka and Maharashtra along with a few from Goa, were involved in sex trade in Goa's Baina red light area.

"The red light area closed down in 2004 and since then they were spread across the state. ARZ took the initiative of bringing together 40 women and conceived this Rs 20 lakh project," Pandey said.

ARZ, which has been working on trafficking issues, feels that once given gainful employment, sex workers will leave the sex trade.

The NGO is banking on the commitments given by one of the corporate bodies to place laundry orders.

"We are looking for participation from corporates and government so that we can start similar ventures for more victims who are eager to join the mainstream", Pandey said.