The 6th Session of the Sub-Regional Advisory Committee (SURAC) on Human Trafficking

In the Design and Preparatory Phase of A Comprehensive Programme for Combating the Worst Forms of Labour Exploitation and Human Trafficking of Migrants in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region and Malaysia through the Promotion of Decent Work for All, an extensive tri-partite consultation is required. During the participatory phase for this regional project on human trafficking, the inputs and opinions of the national and regional stakeholders are crucial to provide a firmer foundation for the project.

OBJECTIVES

Overall this meeting aims to seek the views of senior labour and social policy officials and stakeholders on action against human trafficking using a labour and employment perspective. The strategic objectives of the 6th SURAC are to;

  • Promote and realize fundamental principles and rights at work;
  • Create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income;
  • Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all;
  • Strengthen tri-partism and social dialogue

PARTICIPANTS

The meeting will bring together participants from the Mekong region, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Viet Nam, China (Yunnan) and Malaysia.

More specifically, the meeting will have the following participants:

I. Governments:

  • Twelve high level and senior officials (two per country) of Ministries of Labour and other Ministries responsible for anti-trafficking measures in the participating countries. Chairpersons and ministry officials who regularly liaise with the ILO on human trafficking are especially asked to be part of the country delegations;

II. Employers

  • Six representatives (one per country) of the employers’ organizations with experience and interest in anti-human trafficking activities;

III. Workers

  • Six representatives (one per country) of the workers’ organizations with experience and interest in anti-human trafficking activities;

In addition, resource persons from AUSAID, including monitoring and evaluation experts will also participate in the meeting.

Representatives of UN and international organisations engaged in anti-trafficking action (e.g. UNIFEM, UNODC, UNIAP, and IOM) will be invited to attend the meeting as observers.

AGENDA

The two-day meeting will be structured as follows:

  • Introduction to the proposed project – findings from the country consultations
  • Thematic discussions/panels – on selected risk sectors; domestic work, construction, fishing and seafood processing, sex work, manufacturing, plantations

- Identifying common challenges

- Sharing information on responses and priorities for the new project

  • Regional strategies and activities – tri-partite constituents ++ and as a group, including presentations on ASEAN and COMMIT
  • Project management – M&E framework, Mini-project design, management structure etc.