The US Government is expected to oppose Fiji's intentions of being granted a $1 billion stand-by loan from the International Monetary Fund based on Fiji's standing on the Annual Trafficking in persons report.
That is the revelation made by the US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Richard Pruett.
At the moment Fiji is ranked in the Tier 3 catergory by the US State Government in their annual Trafficking in Person report.
Addressing participants at the Human Trafficking workshop today, Pruett said that under their laws any non-humanitarian aid can be actively opposed by the Government.
Under the conditions of Tier 3 nations, governments of countries on Tier 3 may be subject to certain sanctions, whereby the U.S. Government may withhold non-humanitarian, nontrade related foreign assistance.
Also governments subject to sanctions would also face U.S. opposition to assistance (except for humanitarian, trade related, and certain development related assistance) from international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
According to the US State report a Tier 3 rating means that the country has not met the minimum requirement to deal with human trafficking and the Government is not doing anything to address the issue.
Pruett stresses this in relation to the $1 billion standby loan that Fiji is seeking from the International monetary Fund adding that since the US are major donors to the Fund, Fiji will face opposition.
However, Pruett stresses that with the current forum and the introduction of the New Crimes Decree with section 112 dealing with Trafficking, Fiji is actively showing they are would like to better their standing.
The Human Trafficking Workshop organized by the Fiji Police force will be held for two days and ends tomorrow.
