from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Aug 30:  Leading a completely changed life, victims of sex trafficking in Goa, will now own a small-scale unit of their own in state's well-known Sancoale Industrial estate.

Thanks to the efforts by a non-government organization – Arz, around 40 victims working as commercial sex workers have decided to opt for a cleaner profession by starting a mega laundry unit.

" This will be a huge mechanized unit with the capacity of handling 1,500 kg of clothes", Arun Pandey, Director of NGO `Arz' said.

Significantly, the victims' association with the laundry business is pre-conditioned that they should give up sex trade.

Goa governor S C Jamir would inaugurate the unit at a function to be attended by chief secretary J P Singh and Goa's director general of police, Neeraj Kumar, on September 1.

The unit would be transferred in victims' names by forming a women's cooperative, once it starts earning profit, Pandey said. These 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 lac project," he said.

ARZ, which has been working on trafficking issues, feels that once given gainful employment, sex workers will give up 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 the government so that we can start similar ventures for more victims who are eager to join the mainstream," stated Pandey.

Arz got a shot in the arm when Goa's biggest laundry unit `Sure Clean' extended their wholehearted support in setting up the unit. "Corporates are keen to help us in our rehabilitation initiative.  We will have more hands once our unit starts", Pandey stated.

"All the girls are self-dependent. Two of them are trained to drive a vehicle with professional permit so that they can pick up and deliver the clothes on their own," he said.