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Publications/Research

All publications below are available in PDF format for free download. All material remains Copyright ILO. Other unpublished ILO Mekong project-supported research and working papers are also available (click here).

"The Mekong Challenge - Working Day and Night: the plight of migrant child workers in Mae Sot, Thailand“ - (pdf 300kb) • Thai - (pdf 450kb)
A bilingual (Thai-English) report on the findings of a survey of more than 300 Burmese children working in factories on the Thai side of the border reveals a situation of serious labour exploitation, in many cases considered to be worst forms of child labour. More than 80% of the children (all below 18) were working day and night (11 to 12 hours per day - 7 days a week) - often at wages far below the minimum required by law.
- 5 page abridged summary - (pdf 30kb)
"The Mekong Challenge - Underpaid, Overworked and Overlooked: The realities of young migrant workers in Thailand" - (pdf 5353kb)
This in-depth bi-lingual report by the ILO and Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research – believed the first of its kind in Thailand – has uncovered significant human rights violations of young migrant workers ranging from physical assault, forced labour, a denial of freedom of movement, children in hazardous work – definable as worst forms of child labour – and routine psychological and verbal abuse. In some cases the labour exploitation is tantamount to that found in situations of human trafficking. Often out of the sight of both the authorities and most members of the Thai public, 82% of migrant domestic workers and 45% of young migrants toiling on fishing boats said they were required to work more than 12 hours per day, often seven days per week, according to the study. A must-read for Governments, Workers' and Employers' Organizations - as well as anti-trafficking practitioners worldwide. Free Download: English Volume 1 - (pdf 5353kb) or Thai Volume 1 - (pdf 2101kb) - ( Volume 2 available for download sector by sector analysis here.)
"The Mekong Challenge - Cambodia’s ‘Beer Promotion Girls’ – their recruitment, working conditions and vulnerabilities" - (pdf 1705kb)
takes one of the first in-depth looks at both the personal and working lives of these young women who are, essentially, walking advertisements for competing beer companies. Working late into the night at entertainment venues, with male clients often intoxicated and sometimes abusive, the work can be both profitable and hazardous. More than 1 in 4 of the estimated 1,550 beer promotion girls were interviewed and a number of their employers. The survey found that nearly 2 of every 3 respondents had applied for the jobs on their own, often at the encouragement of family and friends; While some said they would sometimes go out on dates with customers, only a small minority admitted to sexual relations with them, suggesting that – contrary to local popular belief – the young women were not engaging in prostitution as a matter of course; Still, some suffered stigmatization and harassment from customers and other members of the community because of the supposed link between beer promotion and sex. Download. - (pdf 1705kb)
"The Mekong Challenge - Cambodia’s Hotel and Guesthouse Workers – their recruitment, working conditions and vulnerabilities", - (pdf 1560kb)
uses the same approach as that of ‘Beer Promotion Girls’ and takes an in-depth look at both the personal and working lives of the young women working in Cambodia’s growing tourism sector. The survey found that the sector has a relatively well educated workforce. But without improved labour inspection of workplaces, the potential for labour exploitation grows as the industry expands. The founding of unions would help ensure that the vulnerabilities of young employees are taken into account and steps taken to avoid abuses. Download. - (pdf 1560kb)
"The Mekong Challenge - Destination Thailand: A cross-border labour migration survey in Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia", - (pdf 3249kb)
, reports on the result of random-sampling of 239 households, including 80 returning labourers, 163 children (age 10-17) and 83 young adults (aged 18-25) from 4 target districts in this north-western border province with Thailand. The survey found: A 9-fold increase in the number of school drop-outs during the preceding 5 years; Contact lost with migrating family members – and no remittances received; A dependence on agents/brokers to find cross-border work and increased vulnerability to the risks of trafficking due to lack of public information for potential migrants in the province. Download. - (pdf 3249kb)
"Tools for Prevention - Participatory Monitoring: Guidelines for practitioners in the fight against human trafficking" - (pdf 1503kb)
- This publication, the first in our 'Tools for Prevention' series, offers advice on particpatory monitoring with an emphasis on inclusive monitoring for impact rather than focusing on the activities themselves. Free download in Web PDF (3mg) Download for free or email us for the free Thai hardcopy. Please note, the official English publication is a Web PDF publication only and is not available in hardcopy. Download (Eng) - (pdf 1503kb) Now also available in Thai! - (pdf 1514kb)
"First Hand Knowledge - Voices Across the Mekong: Community action against trafficking of children and women: - (pdf 671kb)
This is the first in a new series of 'Good Practice' publications issued by the ILO Mekong Project to Combat Trafficking in Children and Women. Written with Governments, NGOs and other anti-trafficking practitioners in mind, the book focuses on the project's successes so far in encouraging direct community-level particpation in finding sustainable ways to prevent children and young women from victimization. Download. - (pdf 671kb)
“Employment and Protection of Migrant Workers in Thailand: National Laws Practices versus International Labour Standards?” - (pdf 563kb)
by Thai university professor and international law expert, Vitit Muntarbhorn, looks at the application of labour standards as they relate to migrant workers in Thailand. Professor Vitit concludes with a series of 12 recommendations for both government and non-government sectors. This publication also contains copies of all six sub-regional, bilateral, MOUs on counter trafficking and employment cooperation. This is an English/Thai bilingual publication. Download. - (pdf 563kb)
“The Mekong Challenge - Human Trafficking: Redefining Demand” - (pdf 406kb)
is the second publication in The Mekong Challenge series and outlines preliminary research and guidelines into the definition of employer ‘demand’ for victims of trafficking. This abridged version by researcher Elaine Pearson outlines the need for a fresh approach to research (now underway) into the destination factors in the trafficking of children and young women in the Mekong sub-region, with Thailand as the main destination country. The new research is being conducted by Mahidol University and will be completed and published in late 2006. English. Download - (pdf 406kb)
“The Mekong Challenge - Analysis Report of the Baseline Survey for the TICW Project Phase II in Yunnan Province,” - (pdf 1063kb)
is the third publication in the Mekong Challenge series. Originally published in Chinese by the IPEC Task Team of the Yunnan Provincial Statistics Bureau, this publication documents the experiences of returning migrants and their families in Yunnan Province of China. It connects the vulnerability of migrants, especially children and women, to the risk of human trafficking by interpreting the results of more than 7,000 respondents in both sending and receiving communities in Yunnan Province. It is accompanied by a separate video (DVD) “Yunnan, China: The Link Between Migration and Trafficking (downloadable here) - (rm 7605kb)” and a CD-Rom version of the publication. Download publication . - (pdf 1063kb)
"Making History: People, Process and Participation" - (pdf 1239kb)
- The outcome of the Mekong Children's Forum on Human Trafficking (a joint-initiative with Save the Children UK) A full report on the process and outcome of the Mekong Children's Forum on Human Trafficking and a separate report back to the young delegates from five countries who took part. The children held a dialogue with senior Government officials from their countries at a gathering in Bangkok. They presented 43 separate Recommendations for Action to combat human trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. "Making History: People, Process and Particpation" A very useful tool for Governments, NGOs and other social agencies planning to organize an event involving child participation and consultation. Read and learn about ways to fight human trafficking directly from young people on the front line. Download - (pdf 1239kb).
Mekong Youth Forum (2007) “Are you listening? Mekong Youth Forum on Human Trafficking” - (pdf 3698kb)

- Download - (pdf 3698kb).