ODI Thematic Brief 3: Rethinking labour recruitment to reduce exploitation and trafficking of migrants

Increasing awareness of the risks of human trafficking and exploitation in Southeast Asia has prompted a focus on the recruitment process and the risks faced by workers who seek employment overseas.

The majority of migrant workers in Southeast Asia rely on irregular migration channels due to the cost and complexity of regular channels. In some cases, regular migration channels are not always a safer option for migrants.

This thematic briefing paper explores the dynamics of migrant worker recruitment, and makes recommendations for how regular migration channels could be improved to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking and exploitation.