Migration in the Greater Mekong Subregion Resource Book: In-depth Study: Border Economic Zones and Migration

The Mekong Migration Network (MMN) and the Asian Migrant Centre (AMC) are pleased to announce the launch of the Fourth Edition in its series of Resource Books. This edition includes updates on migration issues, policy and regulations, and responses at national and regional levels during 2009 to 2012; as well as an in-depth study on border economic zones and migration.

This publication was conceived at an MMN workshop in 2008 – attended by approximately 90 participants including MMN member organisations, researchers, policy-makers, representatives of international governmental organisations, the Asian Development Bank – where border economic zones (BEZs) were discussed in the context of the workshop theme, ‘Migrants, Migration and Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)’. 

Participants at the workshop learnt that many recent development projects have been planned under the framework of the Ayewaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), which focuses on improving joint infrastructure such as transport links between ACMECS member states in order to facilitate trade arrangements and to promote regional tourism. The establishment of Border Economic Zones (BEZs) is one strategy that has been employed in an attempt to formalise and expand border trade in ACMECS countries. These countries envisioned that increased investment in these zones would lead to the creation of additional jobs and a subsequent decrease in the number of workers from poorer countries migrating to find work.

Subsequent to the workshop, MMN members decided to further explore the impact that BEZs are having on migration and the lives of migrants. This book is the outcome of MMN’s collaborative research between 2009 and 2012.

Secondary research was undertaken in relation to the following BEZs:

Thailand-Laos: Savan-Seno;

Thailand-Cambodia: Poipet-Sakeaw; Koh Kong-Tratt;

China-Vietnam: Pinxiangshi (Guang Xi)-Lang Son (Dong Dan); Hekou-Lao Cai;

Thailand-Burma: Mae Sot-Myawaddy; Mae Sai-Tacihlek; Prachuab-Tennarisim; Sangklaburi-Three Pagoda; Kanchanaburi-Tavoy;

China-Burma: Ruili-Muse; Laiza-Myttin;a

China-Laos: Mo Han in Xishuanbanna-Borten;

Cambodia-Vietnam: Bavet-Mocbai; and

Vietnam-Laos: Lao Bao-Xepone, Savvanakkhet.

Primary research was undertaken in Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand, focussing on the following zones:

Savanseno-Mukkadaharn

Koh Kong-Tratt

Mae Sot-Myawaddy

Bavet-Mocbai

The resource book contains the following sections:

Poster: “Migration in Thailand: Timeline of Facts and Figures”

Tables of migration and socio-economic data for the six GMS countries

Part 1: Overview of country situations: Providing general country overviews including summaries of political, economic and social issues pertinent to migration. Information relating to trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and official development aid (ODA) is also included in this edition to set the context for the BEZ sections.

Part 2: Overview of migration: Providing an update on migration-related policies and issues.

Part 3: Overview of Border Economic Zones-Based on secondary research: This chapter provides a regional overview of BEZs, including background relating to the establishment of BEZs in respective GMS countries, legal frameworks, and the roles of ODA and FDI in BEZs.

Part 4: In-depth Study on BEZs and Migration-Based on both secondary and primary research: This chapter summarises detailed information and the impact of BEZs in selected border areas, namely Cambodia-Vietnam BEZs, Thailand-Burma/Myanmar BEZs, Thailand-Cambodia BEZs and Thailand- Laos BEZs. Each chapter describes the background, management structure, relevant agreements and policies, current situation and future plans, impact on migration flows and migrants, working and living conditions in BEZs, and impact on local people.

Part 4 also includes Regional Recommendations in relation to:

o   Participation of all stakeholders in the process of BEZ establishment;

o   Protection of land rights in establishment of BEZs;

o   Rights and welfare of migrant workers in BEZs; and

o   BEZs and sustainable development.

MMN sincerely thanks all those involved in the research and publication of this book; and hopes that readers will find it a useful reference in understanding migration and development in the GMS.

In addition to this resource book, please refer to the MMN webpage (www.mekongmigration.org) and online resource materials to keep updated with constantly shifting policies concerning migration and labour in the region.

Please feel free to contact the MMN secretariat or AMC with any inquiries: info@mekongmigration.org; info@asian-migrants.org.

PDF of book available here.

Migration in Thailand: Timeline of Facts and Figures. Chart available here. 

A full speech of the Myanmar Deputy Minister for Labour given at the Mekong Migration Symposium “Migrants from the Mekong Neighbourhood Living Together: Seeking Responses to Enable Integration and Social Cohesion February 26th – 28th 2013″ can be downloaded here: [English] and [Burmese].

Migrants from the Mekong Neighbourhood Living Together
Seeking Effective Responses to Enable Integration and Social Cohesion
26-28 February 2013, Bangkok, Thailand

On 28 February 2013, concluding a three-day regional Symposium in Bangkok, the Mekong Migration Network launched a series of recommendations advocating for effective responses to enable integration and social cohesion of migrant communities in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

In attendance at the Symposium were 72 representatives of governments, academic institutions, INGOs, NGOs and migrant groups from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar/Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan province of China.

Guest speakers included Her Excellency Ms. Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior, Royal Government of Cambodia; His Excellency, Mr. U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister, Myanmar Ministry of Labour; Mr. Precha Soravisute, General Inspector, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Royal Government of Thailand; Thailand-based migrant representative Mr. Jai Sak; Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University; Mr. Luca Pierantoni from the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand; and Mrs. Sunee Chaiyarose, Vice President of the Law Reform Commission of Thailand.

Although migration is not a new phenomenon in the Mekong region, migrant communities and host communities have lived side-by-side but not together for many decades.

Mr. Jai Sak, a representative of migrant workers, shared his experience of the challenges facing many migrants that prevent them from being properly included in society. Referring to poor conditions on work sites, a lack of appropriate housing, inadequate facilities and poor sanitation, he described the many factors that contribute to a stereotypical view of migrants and fuel discriminatory attitudes in local communities.

He asked: “How can migrant workers living in these conditions feel empowered, or feel confident to socialize with Thais?”

He cited the lack of freedom of movement, exploitation by employers, especially the non-payment of the legal Thai Baht 300 minimum wage as key factors preventing social inclusion of migrants.

He communicated an important message, directed to the Thai government, stating:

“Many migrant workers really want to connect with and be a part of local communities, but at the moment, opportunities to do so are very rare.”
Dr Sriprapha Petcharamesree reflected that:

“The concept of “Living Together” does not mean you have to be the same as one another. It is not about ‘sameness’.”

She noted that one of the core themes of the ASEAN Community, as found in the Preamble to the ASEAN Charter, is to develop “one sharing and caring community.”

She stated that:

“This is indeed the key to living together. These words must become a reality.”

Her Excellency Ms Chou Bun Eng spoke of the role of Cambodia in assisting its nationals working abroad, she said that:

“There is a need for more coordination between governments, and more coordination in protecting migrants throughout the whole cycle of migration.”

Mr. Luca Pierantoni discussed lessons to be learned from the European Union’s experience of regional integration. He emphasised the important role of the European Court of Justice in adjudicating issues allowing EU citizens to “Live Together” such as the cross-border recognition of professional qualifications.

On this issue, Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree stated:

“I hope to see an ASEAN Court of Justice in my lifetime.”

Mrs. Sunee Chaiyarose discussed the duty of nations in the region to reform laws to adhere to international labour standards, noting:

“Migrant workers contribute the same amount to the social security scheme as Thais, but they get less benefits. This is an issue that must be resolved.”

And further, “Migrant Workers cannot form trade unions as there is no domestic law to support this. We need to amend this.”

His Excellency Mr. U Myint Thein spoke about recent efforts of the Myanmar Government to ensure registration of its citizens in Thailand. He stated that:

“The Government tries to ensure that workers who will travel abroad are accorded swift and smooth processes with minimum expense, to oversee that Myanmar workers are granted the rights and privileges consistent with the foreign country’s labour laws.”

He recognised that exploitative practices by employers and recruitment agencies was going on, for example recruitment agencies charging very high fees and employers seizing migrant worker identity documents.

Referring to recent meetings with authorised recruitment agencies, he said,

“I strictly warned them to follow procedure, and this will happen very often in the future, via the labour attaché and his department.”

He closed his speech by:

“…Urging and exhorting the civil societies… to join forces with our two countries alike, to protect and care for our migrant workers working in Thailand.”

The Mekong Migration Network hopes that the recommendations arising from this Symposium will be taken up by governments, civil society and communities in the Greater Mekong Subregion, as we aspire together to find effective responses to enable integration and social cohesion of all people, without distinction based on nationality, occupation, gender, migration or other status.

Please see the attached document for the full list of recommendations arising from the Symposium.

For further information, please contact:

• Ms. Reiko Harima, MMN Regional Coordinator (reiko@mekongmigration.org, ph: +852 9369 2244);
• Ms. Pranom Somwong, MMN Advocacy Convener (p_somwong@yahoo.com; ph: 083 188 7600); or
• Ms. Jackie Pollock, Chair of MMN Steering Committee (jackie_pollock@yahoo.com; ph: 085 039 5216).

Website: http://www.mekongmigration.org

[English]

The Press Release and/or the Symposium was covered by the following news:

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Mekong-nations-urged-to-protect-migrant-workers-30200972.html#sthash.wTPYKoDv.dpuf

Prachatai: http://www.prachatai.com/journal/2013/02/45544

Eleven Myanmar: www.elevenmyanmar.com/asean/2650-mekong-governments-urged-to-create-regional-panel-to-assist-migrants

Mekong Symposium on Migration
Migrants from the Mekong Neighbourhood Living Together
Seeking Effective Responses to Enable Integration and Social Cohesion
February 26th – 28th 2013

The Mekong Migration Network has brought together 72 representatives of governments, academic institutions, INGOs, NGOs and migrant groups from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar/Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Yunnan province of China, to share our perspectives on how migrants and host communities can live together. The participants jointly developed strategies and recommendations to enhance social cohesion in the Mekong region and enable migrant and host communities to live together peacefully and in harmony.

Although migration is not a new phenomenon in the Mekong region, migrant communities and host communities have lived side by side but not together for many decades. They rarely interact. Absence of connections, or dialogue or of sharing between the communities gives rise to misunderstandings, negative attitudes, discrimination and inequalities.

Every day, equality and rights are being tied to immigration documents and denied to those who do not have these documents. All human beings are entitled to human rights, they cannot be denied on the basis of immigration status. The participants believe that the governments and peoples of the Mekong Subregion must acknowledge and practice this principle in order to create an environment where all peoples can live together. We must all work together to build trust and mutual respect.

A migrant worker representative at the Symposium asked how migrants could live together with their host community when their living and working conditions were so sub standard. The host community does not want to see or know that such conditions exist and the migrant community is ashamed to have to live in these conditions. He also stated that the vast majority of migrants do not receive the legal minimum wage and suffer humiliation from the negative stereotyping of migrants. Current living and working conditions, particularly the lack of enforcement of labour protection, dangerous conditions and exclusion from social services are creating barriers between migrants and host communities.

To break down these barriers and facilitate migrants and the host communities to live together in an integrated society the Symposium proposes the following recommendations:

Recommendations to the Governments of the GMS Countries

1. Working and Living Conditions

• To set up a regional committee to oversee the working and living conditions of migrants;
• To ensure that all workers in all sectors are protected by national and international labour standards;
• To enforce employers’ compliance with the labour protection laws and employment contracts and sanction employers who persistently disregard or abuse the laws;
• To eliminate dangerous working conditions and occupational health hazards and develop and implement decent work and Occupational Health and Safety standards throughout the GMS;
• To ensure that migrant communities have essential services (including water supplies, garbage collection etc);
• To make provisions for equal access to social services (including vocational training, housing etc) and social welfare benefits (unemployment, compensation in case of accident etc);
• To ensure that migrants and their families have equal access to health care.

2. Education

• To enable all children in the GMS to have equal access to education that acknowledges and respects their language and culture;
• To issue educational certificates to all graduating students regardless of nationality or immigration status;
• To develop a committee to explore the future mutual recognition of school qualifications in the GMS;
• To develop a topic in school curriculums on the history of migration and current day migration;
• To support exchange study programs in the GMS;
• To jointly develop curriculums that reflect the transnational nature of today’s world and include rights education;
• To strengthen migrant workers’ access to vocational training and further education to enable them to fulfill their potential.

3. Cultural Understanding

• To provide orientation for potential migrants and migrants in situ including appropriate language training and audio materials and information on traditions and modern day culture.
• To provide orientation trainings for law enforcers, teachers, nurses and other government officials, to develop their skills to work in multi-cultural and multi-lingual settings.
• To provide orientation information to host communities about migrant cultures.

4. Access to Information

• To provide information about laws and rights and safe migration to migrants and also to provide contacts details of available services (legal aid, NGOs etc) through consular services, recruitment agencies, relevant government departments and civil society;
• For governments to develop mechanisms to disseminate information comprehensively to migrant communities;
• To strengthen and expand consular services and make them more accessible to migrants.

5. Discrimination

• To legislate and/or adopt policies on anti-discrimination laws on grounds of ethnicity, culture and gender;
• To review periodically the content and implementation of anti-discrimination laws and policies to bring these in line with international standards
• To develop curriculum, workplace policies, and public service practices to reflect international standards and good practices on the management of diversity and multculturalism in the region;
• To raise awareness among media to use terminology which is respectful of migrants and their cultures.

Recommendations to ASEAN

In collaboration with civil society, including migrant workers, to agree on respectful terminology to describe migrants and migration.

To support the ASEAN group on Standard Education Qualifications to raise awareness about portable educational qualifications and to develop recommendations for mutual recognition of qualifications.

To implement the recommendations from the 4th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (Bali, 2011) especially the section on the “promotion of positive image, rights and dignity of migrant workers”.

To delay no longer in developing an ASEAN instrument on the implementation of the Declaration on Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant workers that includes family members and complies with international human rights and labour standards.

To collect and disseminate accurate data on migration to inform social dialogues on different approaches to social cohesion and integration.

Recommendations to Civil Society

Leaders of both host and migrant communities (trade unions, women leaders, religious leaders, community leaders etc) need to create common spaces for positive interactions between the host community and migrant communities.

Recommendations to Media

To ensure that media stories of migrants and migration issues do not contribute to discrimination and negative attitudes. Media coverage should never incite hatred, violence or degrade the dignity of migrants.

And finally, the Mekong Migration Network is pleased to announce that one of the practical outcomes of this symposium is that the MMN will embark on a project to create children’s books on migration in the Mekong.

[English]

[Thai]