Human trafficking: Thailand is under the spotlight

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EDITORIAL
Human trafficking: Thailand is under the spotlight
The Nation 2011-08-09

UN Rapporteur's mission will uncover uncomfortable truths of modern-day slave trade too long ignored.

The UN Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, arrived this weekend for a two-week visit to Thailand. One can be certain that she will be looking into some very serious allegations in a wide range of industries and places, from fisheries to the brothels in towns along the border.

For as long as the fisheries industry has existed, stories of murders and outrageous abuse on the fishing boats have been commonplace.

But the problem is not just limited to crew members living in a nightmarish world out on the high seas; it has a lot to do with the folks on land as well - from the trawler owners who permit the violations to go on, to the human traffickers who provide cheap labour from neighbouring countries, namely Cambodia and Burma, in what has essentially become a modern-day slave trade.

Reports about the treatment, disappearances and murder of these fishermen never cease. Judging from various accounts, one can safely assume that a wide range of people in this trade have blood on their hands.

It is amazing that no Thai government has properly acknowledged the problems in this sector, or attempted to investigate these alleged abuses.

Does this reflect the extent of a criminal activity that operates like a powerful mafia, or it is just because our governments and society are indifferent to the plight of the foreign (Burmese and Cambodian) workers? What kind of society are we becoming (or have we already become) that we are able to turn a blind eye to such activities?

If not for humanitarian reasons, at the very least, we should acknowledge that it is the cheap labour of these foreign workers on the high seas and on factory assembly lines that helps sustain our robust economy.

The fishing industry is not alone when it comes to human trafficking, however. Border towns like Dan Nok in Songkhla, or Mae Sot in Tak, for example, are dotted with "love motels" and brothels full of sex workers from abroad. Many are said to have arrived either against their will or having been lured into the trade.

In addition to illegal workers, there are also a significant number of documented workers in Thailand whose living conditions should not overlooked.

These workers are not asking for our sympathy. All they ask is a little fairness. Considering the benefits that we received from their contributions, that is the least we should give them.

The quality of our society reflects the extent of our justice - our sense of fair play and our notion of compassion. If we can't understand that we must extend these principles and virtues to our foreign workers, regardless of their race and nationality, then we are doomed as a society.

There is a real chance that the spotlight shone by the UN Rapporteur will reveal a number of uncomfortable truths.

Don't be surprised if she concludes during her visit that Thailand has made very little real progress in countering human trafficking.

What has been going on within our borders can be easily equated to modern-day slavery. Some may complain of foreign meddling in our sovereign affairs, but let's not forget that Thailand is a signatory to a number of international conventions that may not be legally binding but do ask that we investigate these allegations.

There are also diplomatic implications. The US, for example, is required by its laws to reduce the level of cooperation with countries deemed to be dragging their feet in the fight against human trafficking. If Thailand's trafficking rating falls to Tier 3, one can be certain of serious economic repercussions.

In the final analysis, there is a role for everybody to play in the push to end trafficking. The media and civil society can employ blame-and-shame tactics, but unless the private sector, foreign consumers and the international community take up the cause and cease dealing with factories known for abusing workers, the fight against human trafficking and slavery will continue to be an uphill battle.

[Admin]

HUMAN TRAFFICKING
UN envoy probes situation here
By KANATHIT SRIHIRANYADEJ
WANNAPA KHAOPA
The Nation 2011-08-11

UN Special Rapporteur voices concerns over immigrant labour.

A representative of the UN human-rights agency visited the Immigration Bureau and Labour Ministry yesterday to discuss the situation of human trafficking in Thailand.

Thailand has been placed on the Tier-2 Watch List for a second consecutive year, as per the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Annual Report 2011 that was released in Washington on June 28.

Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNHCR), visited the immigration bureau to witness how human-trafficking victims are treated by police and if the behaviour is in line with international standards, Immigration Commissioner Pol Lt-General Wiboon Bangthamai said.

Wiboon said since there have been lots of reports of human trafficking in Thailand, the country has been experiencing trade blocs, adding that Japan and Laos were also on the Tier-2 Watch List.

While at the Labour Ministry, Ezeilo paid special attention to the smuggling of illegal aliens into Thailand, though she doubted if this could be considered human trafficking, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary Jeerasak Sukhontachart said.

He added that the ministry had demonstrated the actions it takes against human trafficking. Since Thailand does not support the smuggling of humans, it has tried to solve the problem by having illegal alien workers register with the ministry so they can enjoy the same wages and benefits as other Thai workers.

"If this group of alien workers had been trafficked, their employers would not have had them registered with us. Also, the authorities try to crackdown on illegal immigrants along the country's border and have them deported. Thailand also has measures preventing them from being abused," Jeerasak said, adding that these points had been made clear to Ezeilo.

Jeerasak said Ezeilo had also expressed concerns over the registration fees taken from alien workers, the immigrants working in the fishery business and urged the officials to inspect different work places.

The Special Rapporteur said she would look into all forms of human trafficking, including sexual and labour slavery. "We want the governments and non-governmental organisations to work together to address human trafficking. We need public-private partnerships," Ezeilo said. Her report on the subject would be presented to the United Nations next year.

Her mandate is to take action on violations committed against trafficked persons and in situations where their rights have not been protected. She visits countries to study the situation in situ and formulate recommendations to prevent and or combat trafficking and protect the rights of its victims.

Ezeilo, who is in Thailand until August 19, will be meeting relevant agencies, including victims in Tak, Chiang Mai, Samut Sakhon and Songkhla.

Her next visit will be to Australia in November.

Watch a video interview with her on www.nationmultimedia.com

[Jamaw]

This works both ways! I know, sadly from my many years of working in the Middle East of young Thai women offered lucrative jobs in Thai Massage (proper one), waitresses, hairdressers etc in Dubai. After they arrive in Dubai they are taken to other Arabic countries such as Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi - sold on. I have met them and helped them but with the exception of the Thai Embassy in Oman who were excellent the rest gave the impression they couldn't care and didn't want to rock the boat.

Human trafficking is in every country including USA and UK. Thailand doesn't have the best of reputations in this aspect but it should and could do more to help its own subjects abroad that have suffered.