Opinion | Migration in Asia should be an opportunity for workers, not traffickers

The growing and ageing economies of Southeast Asia provide increasing demand for migrant labour. But as more migrants seize this opportunity to improve their lives, women in particular can find themselves at increased risk of exploitation and abuse, including trafficking. The World Day against Trafficking in Persons this week gave us an occasion to remind governments and other actors of what still needs to be done to put an end to it.

Currently there are around 10 million migrant workers in the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), nearly half of them are women, and the numbers are rising. By 2030, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will have significant shortfalls of working-age adults estimated at 10 to 30 per cent, while Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar will have excesses.

With the increasing demand of labour across the region, migration makes a significant positive contribution to economic and social development both in countries of origin and destination. The Asia-Pacific region is the biggest receiver of remittances worldwide, up to US$256 billion, half of which comes from women. This surpasses the amount of foreign direct investment and overseas development aid in many developing countries.

Despite their economic contribution, migrant workers, especially women, still face discriminatory treatment, violence and labour rights violations. Women migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to violence and trafficking throughout the migration cycle. They are at risk of violence and abuse from intermediaries, employers, partners, and strangers as well as from exploitative labour conditions. But they often have little access to legal protection, justice and support services.

As an ostensibly protective measure, women migrant workers are frequently subject to restrictive immigration policies based on age, destination or occupation. Such restrictions do little to protect them from violence or other abuse. In fact, research by the ILO and UN Women shows they push more women to migrate through irregular and unprotected channels, resulting in increased dependence on brokers and labour recruiters.

Human trafficking – as well as forced labour – is a crime of opportunity. Victims are in situations of vulnerability as they attempt to build a better life for them and their families. It is perpetuated everywhere. In countries of origin, transit, or destination. According to the latest estimates, the overall number of reported trafficking cases has increased. Almost 25 million people are trapped in forced labour worldwide and 64 per cent of them are to be found in Asia and the Pacific.