Trafficking: a perspective from Asia.

Publisher: Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration [and] Research Group for European Migration Problems Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 9882227 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0020-7985 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00207985 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int Migr

Original Publication: Geneva, Switzerland : Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration [and] Research Group for European Migration Problems, 1963-

Emigration and Immigration* ; Legislation as Topic* ; Social Class* ; Transients and Migrants*; Asia ; Demography ; Developing Countries ; Economics ; Population ; Population Dynamics ; Socioeconomic Factors

The main theme of this article is market development and trafficking as a business. It touches upon most of the aspects of the phenomenon, which have been encountered elsewhere, and translates them into the relatively unfamiliar context of many of the Asian and South-East Asian economies. Equally, the literature cited is also probably unfamiliar. Themes touched upon include democratization, inter-state relations, human rights, and scale and perspectives, together with the problems of definitions, theory, and the reliability of data. The directions and characteristics of trafficking flows together with routes and border control are also considered. Coordinated official responses to criminality and criminal organizations, as well as to trafficked individuals, are beginning to emerge. There is a note of caution sounded that contextual and cultural perspectives, particularly on sex workers, must be viewed somewhat differently to those in Western societies. The article concludes that as long as countries in Asia maintain their policies of restrictive immigration, trafficking can be expected to continue and almost certainly increase. This is because accelerating development creates demand for labor at various skill levels and because even in times of recession migrants and brokers will seek to side-step attempts to expel immigrants and restrict access to labor markets. The elimination of trafficking is unlikely to be realistically achieved through legislation and declarations of intent but by improvements in the socioeconomic status of the population.

Indexing Agency: PIP Local ID #: 151349. Indexing Agency: POP Local ID #: 00296389.
Keywords: Asia; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Economic Factors; Illegal Migrants*; Legislation*; Literature Review*; Migrants; Migration*; Population; Population Dynamics; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic Status*
Note: TJ: INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

Date Created: 20020926 Date Completed: 20001101 Latest Revision: 20220408

20221213

10.1111/1468-2435.00113

12296141