Support to Cambodian Migrants in Trad Province, Thailand

After the completion of the research focusing on Koh Kong and Trad LSCW was keen to carry out further work in Trad to support migrant workers. LSCW’s research revealed that great vulnerability exists for Cambodians migrating far from their homes and crossing from Cambodia into Thailand. Because they are illegal, they cannot access most of their freedoms and rights (even if they know what these are) and face many types of discrimination and exploitation.

Combined, these factors make it increasingly difficult for them to find medical assistance, support or legal protection, causing numerous day-to-day problems. The lack of human rights for migrants, both men and women as undocumented and documented migrants, leaves them vulnerable to trafficking, without access to services, and lacking in knowledge on human rights, labour laws or information regarding registration. Cambodian women working in the sex industry are extremely vulnerable, owing to the illegal nature of their work, which is characterised by debt bondage, coercion, physical and sexual violence and lack of freedom.

There is, therefore, an urgent need to address the needs of the Cambodian migrant community in Trad and to implement a system that can be integrated into the work and social environment and related communities. Because the vulnerabilities of migrant men and women are different, interventions need to be suitably targeted to each specific group. Strategies need to address an increase in rights, especially regarding labour rights, access to information and education, and access to services and referrals. This could offer an immediate and lasting benefit to the community and diminish the risks of exploitation and trafficking inherent at the destination.

LSCW, as a result, set up the Migrant Support Project in mid 2005, based in Koh Kong, and travelling cross-border to Trad, with support from UNIAP.

This work is complemented by working with employers and owners on registration and legal rights; establishing a drop-in centre; running training sessions with authorities on migrants’ rights and on the difference between smuggling, trafficking and migration to inform on the issues of trafficking

LSCW office in Koh Kong, where the Migrant Support Team is based

• A situational analysis to clarify the trafficking situation as well as the needs of the Cambodian migrant community in Trad province, and to allow new project staff to gain greater understanding of the problems faced by Cambodian migrant workers and the functioning of the various industries.
• The development of information and educational materials, using culturally appropriate images and illustrations.
• The establishment of a mobile team to travel to worksites and locations of migrant workers, providing support and care to migrant workers.
• The recruitment of migrant workers as implementers of the project, to assist and access and inform migrants.
• Developing mechanisms and systems to assist and support trafficked and exploited migrants and those in crisis.
• Cooperation and networking.