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
Frequently Asked Questions: Status of Cambodian Female Workers in Country X
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper examines the status of Cambodian female workers in Country X, a South East Asian nation, determining whether their migration constitutes legal labor immigration or modern-day slavery. It investigates their employment conditions, challenges faced, and the impacts of their experiences.
What methodology was used in this research?
The research primarily employed a descriptive approach, analyzing data from documents and video interviews. Direct analysis was used to interpret the findings.
What were the key findings regarding the employment conditions of Cambodian female workers in Country X?
While the workers migrated under a legal immigration system, the study found evidence of trafficking and exploitation. Workers experienced forced overtime, physical mistreatment, sexual and emotional abuse, resulting in psychological suffering and economic hardship. Some even died during their employment without appropriate legal recourse.
What is the conclusion of the study?
The study concludes that Cambodian female workers in Country X are victims of modern-day labor trafficking, despite the legal framework under which they migrated. The findings suggest a need for increased cooperation and intervention from both the countries of origin and destination to address this issue and improve regional economic integration.
What is the difference between labor immigration and slave trade as defined in this paper?
Labor immigration is defined as the legal process of employing individuals from one country in another, adhering to government policies and legal systems. Slave trade, in contrast, is illegal human trafficking involving labor exploitation and/or sexual abuse, both within and across national borders.
What is the demographic context of Cambodia relevant to this study?
Cambodia has a population of approximately 14.5 million, with a significant rural population engaged in farming. A large youth population enters the employment market annually, contributing to the push factors driving migration for better opportunities.
What are some specific examples of the challenges faced by Cambodian female workers in Country X, as reported in the study?
Reported challenges included: overwork with minimal rest, untreated illnesses, torture, underpayment, detention, and severed contact with family. Instances of rape and murder were also cited.
What is the significance of the 1997 Labour Export Agreement between Cambodia and Malaysia?
The 1997 agreement between Cambodia and Malaysia facilitated a significant increase in the number of Cambodian women workers migrating to Malaysia, many of whom faced exploitation despite the legal framework.
What is the suggested solution or recommendation proposed by the study?
The study recommends strengthening cooperation and intervention from both the countries of origin and destination to address the exploitation of Cambodian female workers and promote more equitable regional economic integration.
What are the key words associated with this research?
The key words are: 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
Currently, Cambodia has an estimated 14.5 million population with an annual growth of 2.4%. About 80% of Cambodian are farmers living in rural areas, only 12% living in Phnom Penh. Cambodia has a notable growth of youth with median age 21.3 years considered as the highest in the region. Annually, there are 300,000 Cambodian youth enter employment market. This number will sharply increase in the future. The increase has due to poverty, landless, narrow job opportunities and low paid in the country of origin.
- 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
