Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Labor trafficking is the use of force, fraud, threat, or coercion for the purpose of involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. It is the most common form of human trafficking with approximately 25 million victims worldwide. Of the 25 million, 16 million are exploited in private sectors (domestic work, agriculture, and construction, with construction exploiting 7 million). These numbers don’t reflect full child labor counts due to differences in definition. Two major factors of labor trafficking are globalization and migration, both of which have create push/pull factors for cheaper labor and an increase profit, leaving migrant workers vulnerable to trafficking. For example, research shows that Thailand hosts approximately 4.9 million non-Thai residents in 2018. This has increased by 3.7 million since 2014. Migrant workers are estimated to contribute between 6 to 7 percent of Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product. This study highlights two aspects of construction labor trafficking in Thailand on both ends of the response continuum- prevention and intervention. These approaches address the need for transparency and economic alternatives. In one approach, the harnessing of technology for social good by increasing technology is shared. In our second method, the design of a collaborative intervention approach to provide economic intervention, training, and reintegration is discussed. This focuses on Cambodians and their families who migrate to Thailand for construction contracts. Both approaches are based on best practices and offer disruption and impact in the fight to end human trafficking.