Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2020
Media Contacts:
|
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (517) 377-3933 |
Leslie Pardo/Michael Odum
Marx Layne & Company (248) 855-6777 |
Michigan's Hospitality Industry Takes Action To Fight Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month is January 2020
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month is January 2020
LANSING, MICH. – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), is taking action to fight human trafficking. Throughout National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, the MRLA is providing resources and tools to its members to ensure every employee in the hospitality industry is trained on this critical issue.
According to Polaris, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that works to combat and prevent modern-day slavery and human trafficking, approximately 40 million men, women and children worldwide are impacted by human trafficking. Trafficking networks often rely on legitimate businesses, including those in the hospitality industry, to sustain their illicit and illegal operations. As a result, hoteliers are uniquely positioned to identify and disrupt this appalling practice. According to the ALHA, “employee training has played an instrumental role in identifying, reporting and stopping instances of human trafficking.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to train every employee in the hospitality industry and end human trafficking,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “To combat this horrific act, we provide resources to our members so their employees—more than 595,000 people working in the hospitality industry in Michigan—are trained on how to identify and report suspected trafficking situations.”
The AHLA national awareness campaign, No Room for Trafficking, has four core pillars:
The No Room for Trafficking Member Resource Guide details an action plan, including:
Another resource available to members is an anti-trafficking hotel checklist developed by ECPAT-USA. The checklist provides action steps for management and associates to recognize the warning signs, remain diligent and aware, and take action by contacting law enforcement.
For more information and resources, visit: https://www.ahla.com/issues/human-trafficking
According to Polaris, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that works to combat and prevent modern-day slavery and human trafficking, approximately 40 million men, women and children worldwide are impacted by human trafficking. Trafficking networks often rely on legitimate businesses, including those in the hospitality industry, to sustain their illicit and illegal operations. As a result, hoteliers are uniquely positioned to identify and disrupt this appalling practice. According to the ALHA, “employee training has played an instrumental role in identifying, reporting and stopping instances of human trafficking.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to train every employee in the hospitality industry and end human trafficking,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “To combat this horrific act, we provide resources to our members so their employees—more than 595,000 people working in the hospitality industry in Michigan—are trained on how to identify and report suspected trafficking situations.”
The AHLA national awareness campaign, No Room for Trafficking, has four core pillars:
- Elevate issue awareness through increased education, resources and training for all hotel employees
- Assess protocols, procedures, and technologies to confirm training effectiveness and employee vigilance
- Educate by developing strategic intervention and disruption strategies to identify and report suspected trafficking situations
- Support by furthering partnerships with leading national human trafficking and law enforcement organizations to establish industry standards and support survivors
The No Room for Trafficking Member Resource Guide details an action plan, including:
- Training staff on what to look for and how to respond
- Displaying human trafficking indicator signage
- Establishing a companywide policy
- Ongoing coordination with law enforcement
- Sharing success stories and best practices
Another resource available to members is an anti-trafficking hotel checklist developed by ECPAT-USA. The checklist provides action steps for management and associates to recognize the warning signs, remain diligent and aware, and take action by contacting law enforcement.
For more information and resources, visit: https://www.ahla.com/issues/human-trafficking
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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