NCJ Number
222864
Date Published
June 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report briefly examines the roles of brokers in the sourcing and managing of migrants from Myanmar to Samut Sakhon in Thailand facilitating the trafficking and exploitation of workers.
Abstract
Ongoing work and investigative research through June 2007 indicates that (1) there is systematic and institutional exploitation of migrants from Myanmar in Samut Sakhon and neighboring provinces, often through debt bondage and exploitation without accountability, through subcontracting; (2) brokers, employers, and some law enforcement authorities cooperate to benefit financially from the supply of migrant labor from Myanmar in Samut Sakhon, both registered and unregistered; and (3) migrant workers in Samut Sakhon are vulnerable with little knowledge of their rights and/or access to justice, and often do not know the local language. Recommendations include: (1) enforcement of labor laws to protect migrant workers from exploitation and abuse; (2) ensure understanding of rights of migrant workers among migrants and employers; and (3) the registration system of migrant workers should be revised. This analysis focuses on brokers who exploit workers to the point of trafficking. In summary, informal brokers are often in a very powerful position to substantially help or substantially harm workers, and can make considerable financial profit in the process. Samut Sakhon is a key destination of migrant workers in Thailand, particularly from Myanmar. With limited opportunities in Myanmar, many make the journey to Thailand with the assistance of informal brokers. The broker might be working as facilitator, exploiter, or trafficker.