by The Nation
Published on August 9, 2011
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.
Source:
nationmultimedia.com
"This research collaborative will shift the agenda on human trafficking from one that has adopted a criminal-legal paradigm to one that focuses on all the pre-conditions for trafficking," said 
