Dozens of Sri Lankans victims of human trafficking and exploitation in Myanmar
Despite Myanmar’s conflict, many Sri Lankans still travel to the former Burma in search of work but end up victims in trafficking networks. At least 40 have been freed recently, but dozens more are still captive. The authorities urge Sri Lankans, often vainly, to look for work at agencies registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lankans continue to look to Myanmar for work, most of the time by illegal means, despite warnings about the ongoing war and the growing danger of falling victim to human trafficking.
The latest case involves 89 Sri Lankans who travelled illegally to the Southeast Asian country for work, but ended up in the hands of armed groups.
Sri Lankan and Myanmar authorities managed to secure the release of 40, who are now at the Myawaddy police station, but the others are still captive.
The Sri Lankan government continues to recommend not seeking employment in Myanmar through illegal means, urging anyone with information on human trafficking to contact the Ministry of Defence or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“Sri Lankans continue to enter Myanmar through various illegal means utilizing open visas in search of work, despite previous warnings given by domestic and international agencies,” senior officials at the Foreign Affairs Ministry told AsiaNews.
About “56 Sri Lankan youths, predominantly young males and females had been detained in an area controlled by a designated terrorist group near the Myanmar-Thailand border”. This site, dubbed a Cyber Criminal Area, was found via Google Maps.
“These individuals had been enticed by promises of lucrative employment in Thailand’s information technology field, yet, they are in a precarious situation as they are employed for illegal activities.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry told parliament last week that “three Sri Lankans had left for Myanmar from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, via Bangkok, Thailand in the previous week, despite widespread publicity and warnings” against human trafficking.
He warned his fellow citizens not to travel to third countries with an "open visa”, advising them to seek work only and exclusively through agencies registered with the SLBFE.
While the issue of migrants ensnarled in human trafficking has found a wide echo in the country’s Sinhala-language media, Tamils have largely been left in the dark. Hence, a group of Tamils from Jaffna, in the north of the island, were recently caught in this trap.
Meanwhile, on the 10th World Day against Trafficking in Persons (30 July), the Voice of Migrant Network (VOM) of Sri Lanka stressed that the authorities focus mainly on the income generated by migrant workers. In doing so, they neglect migrants’ welfare.
What is more, the database needed to "identify and assist" people trapped abroad is inadequate. This, VOM adds, threatens the "social fabric" of the country.
VOM also highlighted the difficulty of collecting data on those who left the island due to the lack of information from government agencies and stressed the importance of promoting safe migration.
For the advocacy group, “It is necessary for SLBFE to implement a safe migration strategy. Although, they have committed to numerous initiatives, these have not been sufficiently impactful. VOM network conducted diverse awareness campaigns in all parts of the country and handed letters to officers at district secretariats and regional offices of SLBFE, urging them to stand against human trafficking and seek their cooperation. A banner display program was launched in selected cities to raise awareness on this critical issue.”
According to SLBFE sources, “there are two categories of migrant workers in Sri Lanka: those registered with the SLBFE and those who are not. The latter often travel on visit visas and face issues at their final destinations, most often leaving through unregistered employment agencies.”
“Problems arise when they face difficulties abroad. The SLBFE’s standard response is to inquire, if the worker is registered with them. If not, they claim no responsibility or commitment to resolving their problems.”
This is unacceptable, VOM argues that the government has a duty to all its citizens, especially since it benefits from their income.
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11/08/2017 20:05
