PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Malaysian non-government organizations (NGOs) visited today with stakeholders working on issues of exploitative labour recruitment and trafficking. The goal of today’s extraordinary meeting was to discuss collaborative strategies to protect, repatriate, and advocate for Cambodian migrants, in light of the growing number of Cambodian women migrating to Malaysia to work in houses, and the increase of abuse cases in the public newspapers.
Chab Dai Coalition and The Asia Foundation co-hosted the meeting today with over 60 stakeholders representing Cambodian and Malaysian NGOs and other international agencies currently working with victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Today’s meeting welcomed Malaysian partners to present about the legal framework, including the Malaysian ATIP Law (2007); services currently available for Cambodian victims of trafficking; challenges facing organizations with regard to rescues, repatriations, and protection of migrant workers; and especially focused on networking.
Chab Dai’s top priority for supporting the Malaysian NGOs to visit was to facilitate cross- border collaboration and networking. A referral mechanism will be generated as an outcome of the meeting, making case referrals and repatriations more efficient.
Helen Sworn, International Director of Chab Dai said:
“This meeting presents a unique opportunity for us to address this urgent issue through joint learning and collaboration among key stakeholders providing support and services for Cambodian migrant workers. Our hope is to develop a common vision to facilitate a closer referral process between the grass roots organisations in order to ensure better protection for Cambodian migrant workers before departure in Cambodia and after arrival in Malaysia.’’
Liva Sreedharan, representing the ATIP desk of Tenaganita in Malaysia, shared about their increase of labour abuse cases of migrant workers from Cambodia. She said:
“This collaboration and coordination today could not be more perfect timing because of the cases of Cambodian domestic workers coming up now. Tenaganita cannot do it alone.”
Tola Moeun, from CLEC, presented an overview in Cambodia facing migrant workers, specifically domestic workers as they are recruited, trained, and sent to Malaysia for work. About the forum today, he stated:
“The forum today is very important because it brings together multiple stakeholders, and identify who is doing what and in what areas we can work together.”
Long-term and short-term ideas were generated in focus groups, with the goal of committing to continue networking and joint-advocacy between both countries.
Today was an opportunity to share together, and begin developing solutions and problem-solving strategies to protect and empower Cambodian migrant workers in- country and abroad.
Read more about the meeting in the Phnom Penh Post [11 May 2011].
