The six suggested steps aimed to reduce the rate of trafficking in women and children include revival of the police anti-trafficking unit, appointment of a special prosecutor for dealing with trafficking cases in "speedy court" and institution of a referral mechanism for the victims to avail services offered by NGOs.

US State Department on June 15 blacklisted Bangladesh and warned it of economic sanctions if it fails to improve the situation within 60 days from that date.

The meeting, held at the home ministry and chaired by State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, discussed ways to prevent trafficking in children and women. The state minister ordered quick disposal of 17 cases relating to trafficking in children and women.

A five-member committee headed by the joint secretary of the home ministry was formed to submit a report in 15 days.

"We are serious about the problems and trying to solve it," Babar told newsmen after the meeting.

He said police are trying to prepare a list of the people behind the illegal trade and action would be taken soon according to the list.

The meeting ordered mounting watch and prompt action on six trafficking routes namely Dhaka-Barisal, Dhaka-Benapole, Dhaka-Satkhira, Dhaka-Chapainawabganj, Dhaka-Darshana and Dhaka-Dinajpur that the human traffickers mostly use to smuggle out women and children.

Secretaries of home; expatriates welfare and overseas employment; law, justice and parliamentary affairs; women and children affairs and civil aviation and tourism and the inspector general of police were present in the meeting.

The US Department of State said Bangladesh is a country of origin and transit for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation, involuntary domestic servitude and debt bondage.

An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 women and young girls are trafficked annually to India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Bangladesh. A small number of women and girls are trafficked through Bangladesh from Myanmar to India.

Bangladeshi boys are also trafficked into the UAE and Qatar and forced to work as camel jockeys and beggars. Women and children from rural areas in Bangladesh are trafficked to urban centres for commercial sexual exploitation and domestic work.

The Bangladesh government does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, the US report contended.