Cambodia

Combatting Forced Labour Slavery

Labour trafficking in Southeast Asia and reports of slavery in supply chains are making international headlines. At the heart of the region, Cambodia is a source, transit and destination for forced labour slavery.

Impoverished migrant workers are particularly vulnerable in a variety of industries, like fishing, domestic servitude, and child begging. There are not yet reliable studies detailing labour trafficking patterns within Cambodia, but there have been cases reported in sectors like construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

After more than a decade of successfully working against child sex trafficking, IJM launched a new project in 2016 to combat cross-border and domestic labour trafficking.

Rescue Victims

We will rescue victims by partnering with authorities to identify and remove children or adults being exploited within Cambodia or trafficked across international borders.

Bring Criminals to Justice

We will bring criminals to justice by pursuing cases against traffickers, slave holders and others recruiting, harbouring or selling children, women and men into forced labour slavery.

Restore Survivors

We will restore survivors by developing customized aftercare plans for clients and partner with organizations in Cambodia that provide trauma counselling, safe shelter and vocation training or education.

Strengthen Justice Systems

We will strengthen justice systems by leading anti-trafficking workshops and developing nationwide police training curriculum so that all Cambodian law enforcement are equipped to combat labour trafficking.

IJM is a partner on a large USAID Counter Trafficking in Persons grant, managed by Winrock International.

“Over the last 12 years, we have seen the impossible happen. Hundreds have been rescued. Hundreds of traffickers and abusers have been held accountable for their crimes in local courts. Passionate government officials are working hard, and their consistent action has led to an astounding decrease in the number of minors being bought and sold.”

Christa Hayden Sharpe Former IJM Cambodia Field Office Director

IJM’s Aftercare Department has trained police in victim/witness interviewing and child-friendly practices, significantly improving police ability to build rapport with children and to obtain truthful testimony in police interviews. Since 2003, we have partnered with local authorities rescue 500 victims of trafficking and have secured the convictions of 193 trafficking perpetrators.

A 2013 study found that the prevalence of children being sold in establishments in Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh dropped dramatically over the past decade of IJM’s work. Estimates of the prevalence of minors in the sex trade were high as 15–30%, with many believed to be ages 15 and under. Today, the rate of minors 15 and under is down to only 0.1%.