ASEAN is home to 10.6 million migrants, with the vast majority being intra-ASEAN migrants. Among these, 1.3 million are children, and approximately 50% are women. Labour exploitation, human trafficking, assault, and harassment are just a few of the many problems that migrants confront, particularly those working for low wages. At risk are women migrant workers, who frequently find themselves employed in low-wage and short-term employment in the informal economy with limited access to social services. Due to a lack of resources, migrant workers’ children are particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. Comprehensive preventive measures are now needed for migrant communities in Southeast Asia, as these hazards have been worsened post-Covid-19.
Authors: Sajla Abdul Razack, Junior Researcher and Josephina Mercer, University of East Anglia
Photo Credits: Pixabay