Migration in South East Asia

Asia in Motion

Dynamism and intricate flows characterize migration in South East Asia and in particular in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), which comprises migrant sending, receiving and transit countries. The number of migrants on the move in South East Asia has risen dramatically in recent decades, as political and economic change has swept the region.

Labour Migration

Thailand's booming economy has become a magnet for migrants from neighbouring countries. As the most developed country in the region, its per capita GDP is twelve times higher than that of Myanmar ($151). Other neighbors -- Cambodia ($270 per capita GDP) and the Lao PDR ($330) -- also suffer from acute underdevelopment. Consequently, an estimated two million irregular migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and the Lao PDR are now believed to be present in Thailand.

Many of these migrants are employed in Thailand’s fishery, agricultural, manufacturing, construction and service sectors. Numerous factories have been built in border areas to profit from cheap foreign labour and a historical lack of official labour migration channels has resulted in widespread human trafficking and smuggling.

The profile of these migrants varies widely. Some stay for extended periods in Thailand, particularly the estimated 1.2 million Burmese, who have few prospects in their home country. Others simply stay for seasonal work. Many Lao workers arrive in Thailand in time for the harvest in December and leave after a few months. (Labour Migration)

Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking

High levels of irregular migration characterize Asian migration. An estimated 30-40% of total migration flows in the region take place via unregulated channels. To ignore irregular migration in Asia, is to miss out on a large part of the migration phenomenon.

Malaysia and Thailand are the two major destinations for irregular migrants. Between them they host as many as three million undocumented migrants. While various measures have been taken to reduce numbers, there remains a structural dependence on these workers in many sectors including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.

Trafficking in human beings, particularly women and children, is a major social issue in the GMS. It violates basic human rights and often involves violence and organized crime. The number of people trafficked annually from and within the region is estimated at between 200,000 and 450,000.

Economic and social push factors that feed human trafficking include poverty, disparities in economic development, lack of education and job opportunities, traditional migration patterns and a lack of information in countries of origin about the risk of exploitation associated with irregular migration.

Pull factors include huge demand for cheap labour to work in factories, fishing boats, construction sites, as domestics in family homes, or in prostitution.

The huge profits available to traffickers, coupled with the relatively low risk of prosecution, ensures that human trafficking will continue to flourish unless action is taken to address issues affecting both supply and demand. (Human Trafficking)