House Tackles Human Trafficking

The House approved language to prevent agencies from working with companies involved in human traffickers. It was an amendment to the 2013 defense authorization bill, which passed the House Friday. The provision would require all contracts to allow for termination and penalties if the contractors engaged in trafficking. It would also require large overseas contracts to have compliance plans and force agencies to investigate complaints of trafficking. The measure was aimed at contractors working in the Middle East. Last year, the government uncovered some firms allegedly holding back employee passports, forcing people to stay on work sites. There have also been allegations that some companies have lied about compensation.