Abstract
This paper aims to define the status of Cambodian female workers in terms labour immigration or slave trade in modernism. Especially, the study identifies the employment conditions, challenges and impacts in country of destination X in South East Asia. Data was predominately descriptive nature extracted from documents and video interviews. A direct analysis was employed to discuss this issue. The results identified that Cambodian female workers migrated to work in country X under a legal immigration system, however, the workers were trafficked and exploited, forced to work overload, physically mistreated, sexually and emotionally abused by the employers. Consequently, they were psychically suffered and economically impacted caused aggravate poverty. Some workers died during working without appropriate legal actions. In conclusion, Cambodian female workers become victims of modern labour trade under a legal procedure. The finding from this study suggests further strengthening cooperation and intervention from countries of origin and destination is a mechanism to integrate regional economy.
Keyword: Labour Immigrant, Slave Trade, Modernism, Cambodian Female Workers
Abstract
This paper aims to define the status of Cambodian female workers in terms labour immigration or slave trade in modernism. Especially, the study identifies the employment conditions, challenges and impacts in country of destination X in South East Asia. Data was predominately descriptive nature extracted from documents and video interviews. A direct analysis was employed to discuss this issue. The results identified that Cambodian female workers migrated to work in country X under a legal immigration system, however, the workers were trafficked and exploited, forced to work overload, physically mistreated, sexually and emotionally abused by the employers. Consequently, they were psychically suffered and economically impacted caused aggravate poverty. Some workers died during working without appropriate legal actions. In conclusion, Cambodian female workers become victims of modern labour trade under a legal procedure. The finding from this study suggests further strengthening cooperation and intervention from countries of origin and destination is a mechanism to integrate regional economy.
Keyword: Labour Immigrant, Slave Trade, Modernism, Cambodian Female Workers
Introduction
Globalization and economic transition has adversely impacted on socioeconomic and livelihood of people in the developing countries in South-East Asia, particularly Cambodia. The influx has pushed Cambodian people, especially women and girls, to make risky decision looking for better job opportunities oversea. After Cambodian and Malaysian government signed Labour Export Agreement in 1997, a large numbers of women workers have been recruited (Maltoni, 2006). Recently, Human Right Watch (2011) claimed that around 50,000 women and girls were sent to Malaysia for work. The process of immigration has been carried out through brokers and agencies who promise to give safe, well-paid and high incentive job to workers.
Regardless legal and illegal immigrants, several reports identified that Cambodian female workers were trafficked and being exploited by employers (Lee, 2007). According to ADHOC (2012), victims filed 141 complaints for reasons of poor work conditions such as overwork with very little rest time, untreated illness, torture, underpayment, being detained, and cut-off family contact. Even worse, some female workers were raped and killed in Malaysia (Press Release JUMP, 2012). The issue has become a grave concern to both countries as labour immigration is a new mechanism to alleviate poverty of regional countries. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to find out a scenario of Cambodian female workers whether has been operated in a form of labour immigration or slave trade in modernism. To reach this objective, a question is posed “What are the employment condition, challenges, and impacts in the country of destination?”
Labour Immigration vs. Slave Trade
Labour immigration refers to the legal process of sending and receiving people from one to another country for employment purpose. The process must follow government policies, labour law, and immigration legal system. The Regional Thematic Working Group on International Migration including Human Trafficking (2008) defined labour immigration as more recent and integral parts of political economy in South East Asia Region. By contrast, slave trade is a human trafficking which is against laws and human rights. In modern age, slave trade occurs in the form of labour exploitation and sexual orientation inside a country and cross-border countries (Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking (ARCPPT), 2003).
Overview of Cambodian Population
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of the paper?
The paper examines the situation of Cambodian female workers who migrate for work, specifically investigating whether their experiences align with legal labor immigration or constitute modern-day slave trade. It focuses on their employment conditions, challenges, and the impacts they face in their destination country (referred to as Country X in Southeast Asia).
What are the key findings regarding Cambodian female workers in Country X?
The study found that while these workers initially migrate under a legal immigration system, they often become victims of trafficking and exploitation. This includes being forced to work excessively long hours, experiencing physical mistreatment, and facing sexual and emotional abuse from employers. These conditions lead to psychological suffering and economic hardship, exacerbating poverty. Tragically, some workers even die while working, without proper legal recourse.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords are: Labour Immigrant, Slave Trade, Modernism, Cambodian Female Workers.
What factors drive Cambodian women to seek work abroad?
Globalization and economic transition have negatively affected socioeconomic conditions in Cambodia. This pushes many women to seek better job opportunities overseas, often taking significant risks in the process.
How does the paper define labor immigration versus slave trade?
Labor immigration is defined as a legal process of sending and receiving people for employment, adhering to government policies, labor laws, and immigration regulations. Slave trade, on the other hand, is human trafficking, which violates laws and human rights. In modern times, slave trade manifests as labor exploitation and sexual exploitation, both within and across borders.
What is the demographic context of Cambodia relevant to labor migration?
Cambodia has a population of approximately 14.5 million, with a high percentage residing in rural areas and relying on agriculture. A significant portion of the population is young, with a median age of 21.3 years. Annually, 300,000 young Cambodians enter the job market. The study infers that poverty, lack of land, limited job opportunities, and low wages in Cambodia contribute to the growing trend of labor migration.
What types of complaints were filed by Cambodian workers?
Victims filed complaints citing poor working conditions such as overwork with very little rest time, untreated illness, torture, underpayment, being detained, and cut-off family contact. In some instances, female workers were raped and killed.
- Quote paper
- Lecturer Hum Chan (Author), Por Sovattha (Author), 2013, Labour Immigration or Slave Trade in Modernism Reflection of Conditions, Challenges and Impacts on Cambodian Female Workers in Country X, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/208745
