In the Greater Mekong Subregion (Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos), there exists one of the most horrific examples of modern slavery. Forced labor and trafficking takes place in the Thai fishing industry where workers are kept on boats for months on end. 

Migrants from nearby countries like Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia are tricked into being stuck on fishing boats for up to a year. They are enticed onto the boats with promises of 9000 Thai Baht (280 USD) and healthy working conditions per month. In reality, those that do get paid receive wages of around 1,400 Thai Baht (Around 40 USD) and terrible working conditions.

In 2014, the Guardian reported the horrors of labor trafficking in Thailand. Within ten days, the US and Europe warned Thailand to fix their trafficking issues. In response, the Thai government required workers to carry identification cards in order to properly count how many people are on each boat. This plan backfired as it made it harder for workers to apply to different jobs; laborers had to receive approval from their employers before changing jobs. Now more than ever, this issue needs to be recognized and receive more press in order for change to happen. Thank you for supporting this cause.