NCJ Number
232656
Date Published
2010
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper from the Australian Institute of Criminology examines the characteristics of migration and people trafficking in Southeast Asia and the implications for Australia's anti-trafficking response.
Abstract
Analysis of the migration and people trafficking problem in Southeast Asia found that it is unlikely that Australia will see a significant growth in this problem for several reasons: most migration in Southeast Asia is intra-regional and trafficking in persons seems to follow this path; most trafficked persons are looking for better economic opportunities which are already in abundance within Southeast Asia and neighboring regions such as East Asia and the Middle East; and there are fewer risks for detection of undocumented movement within the Southeast Asia region than to well-protected areas in Australia. Despite the unlikelihood that Australia will be affected by an increase in migration and trafficking in persons, it is still necessary for Australia to have strong risk-management policies and for it to support sound risk-management initiatives in the region as a whole. This report examined data on trafficked persons in the region and looked at the characteristics of labor migration in Southeast Asia, which include the feminization of labor migration, undocumented migration, the exploitation of labor in the region, and the restrictive migration policies in the sending and receiving countries. The report also examines the factors that contribute to migration in the region, such as poverty and disparities in employment opportunities. Tables and references