16-31 January 1999

Thousands of domestic servants working in the US are being abused by their foreign employers, according to human-rights groups, immigration attorneys, and former servants. Domestic servants are made to work long hours, and are paid with little or no pay at all. The vast majority of these domestic workers had been imported by embassy or international organization officials from impoverished countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Since 1980, more than 300,000 domestic servants had been brought into the US through special work visas.

In the US, a record 171,154 illegal immigrants, among them Asians, were deported last 1998, a 50% increase from its 1997 figures. This does not include the 1.5 million illegal entrants who were caught along US borders, and those who were summarily turned back by US immigration agents. The increase in the number of deportations was attributed to continued funding support given to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Representative Lamar Smith, chair of the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee, meanwhile, cited the 1996 US Immigration Reform Law as partly responsible for the deportations. He said that the new law puts a tough stance against illegal entrants, and "is securing America’s borders, reducing crime, protecting jobs and savings taxpayers billions of dollars." However, the number of illegal entrants into the US continues to grow by 275,000 per year. Estimates place the number of illegal aliens in the US at more than 5 million.

Ninety-one percent of Saipan’s private workforce is composed of foreign workers, mostly Asians. Most hotel workers, for instance, are Filipinos, while garment factories are mainly Chinese workers. Since after the war, Saipan has steadily become a billion dollar player in the global economy, engaged primarily in tourism and garments production. This remarkable boom in the economy has lured many foreign workers e Northern Marianas island.

Criminal gangs from Asia and the Middle East are sending illegal immigrants to Australia posing as refugees. This modus operandi has been going on for some time according to Acting Secretary of Immigration Mark Sullivan. To stem the problem, Australian immigration offices had been set up in various countries to monitor potential illegal immigrants. The goal is to reduce the number of these fake refugees who, Mr. Sullivan said, are robbing genuine refugees of their right for asylum. No numbers were given as to the size of illegal immigrants coming into Australia posing as refugees.

Although Australia is suffering from brain drain, this is countered by the influx of imported brain power. During 1997-1998, more than 33,580 temporary visas were issued to such highly skilled executives, managers, and professionals. This was a marked increase from its year-ago level of 26,000. The entry of such migrant workers has boosted the economy, offering valuable skills needed to propel business and production. However, the Australian government’s conservative stance regarding labor importation may offset this trend. It may lose out to other countries such as Malaysia which offer more employment opportunities for these highly-skilled migrants.

Sources: "Record Number of Illegal Aliens Deported," The Associated Press, 9 January 1999; "Thousands of Foreign Maids Abused in the US," The Straits Times, 16 January 1999; "Exploitation at Home and Abroad," Washington Post, 18 January 1999; Robert Collier, "Stalemate in Talks on Saipan Workers," The San Francisco Chronicle, 20 January 1999; Lee Siew Hua, "Gangs Sending Asians to Australia as Refugees," The Strait Times, 21 January 1999; Agence France Presse, 21 January 1999; Fiona Carruthers, "High-flying Imports reverse Brain Drain," The Australian, 2 January 1999.

China (see also Hong Kong)

Chinese-run criminal elements are making huge profits smuggling illegal aliens into the US. The practice, which has been going on since the late 1980s, has fueled the growth of criminal elements in China. According to some Chinese illegals who have been smuggled into the US (and have been deported back to China), they paid the smugglers US$45,000 for a one way trip to the US. Some have been smuggled into the country more than once. Although penalties for human smuggling have been made heavier since 1996, increasing fines to US$250,000 and a jail term of five years, the practice has proliferated.

They all nearly died after their ship hit a coral reef along the Australian northern coast. For 30 days, 53 would-be Chinese illegal immigrants paddled through rough waters and crocodile and snake infested swamps to get to Australia. During the ordeal, one woman died from drowning. The group was supposed to be smuggled in by "snakeheads" (or Chinese human smuggling syndicates) into Australia. They paid the syndicate $29,000. The surviving 52 Chinese were later deported back to China by Australian immigration officials.

Russian frontier guards say illegal migration from China is a serious problem. Last January 18, three Chinese attempting to cross the Russian-Chinese border were captured. Illegal migration from China stems from three factors: tourist visa-free exchanges between the two countries, the import of Chinese workers into Russia, and illegal border crossings. Over the past five years, the arrest of illegals trying to cross the border has increased ten-fold. There are now more than 500,000 Chinese illegally staying in Russia.

Sources: John Pomfret, "Smuggled Chinese Enrich Homeland, Gangs Villagers Work, Chase Dreams in US," Washington Post, 24 January 1999; "Smuggling? We’re Just Traveling," The Straits Times, 27 January 1999.

Hong Kong (see also Philippines)

On January 29, the SAR’s Court of Final Appeal ruled that the 85 (another source says 81) petitioning mainland-born children of Hong Kong permanent residents have the right to live in Hong Kong. It further declared that this right remains valid even if such children were born before either parent got a permanent residency status, or even if they were born out of wedlock. It also said that the children no longer need permits to leave China and join their parents in Hong Kong, arguing that mainland restrictive exit laws promulgated by the Provisional Legislature do not have a constitutional basis in limiting the right of abode guaranteed by Hong Kong’s de facto Constitution or the Basic Law. Furthermore, Hong Kong’s local courts had the right to interpret the Basic Law and the decisions of the National People’s Congress on SAR cases. Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, however, stressed that the court upheld the need for immigrants arriving after 10 July 1997 to secure a certificate of entitlement so that their entrance to Hong Kong would be orderly.

The landmark decision was made after four test cases were filed challenging the government’s post-handover immigration laws which refused the right of abode in the SAR to mainland children who were illegitimate or those who were born before one of their parents became a permanent resident (which could be granted to those who have lived in Hong Kong for at least seven years). The cases also questioned the requirement for said children to apply for a one-way permit and a certificate of entitlement before they could be allowed entry to the SAR. (Please refer to AMN, 15 January 1999, for more information on the issues raised by the cases).

By mid-1997, around 66,000 mainlanders, claiming blood relations with certain Hong Kong residents, had applied for settlement in the SAR. Around 13,000 had already been granted certificates and, as result of the new ruling, they could stay in Hong Kong even without a one-way permit. Another estimate had placed the number of child migrants who had come to stay in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover at 43,000, and those still waiting to cross at 30,000. There are around 1,950 mainland child immigrants in Hong Kong, among whom are some 1,000 to 1,500 who are believed to have entered Hong Kong without one-way permits, as required by Ordinance 3 dated 10 July 1997. Since the Court ruling declared the retroactive ordinance’s provision unconstitutional, said children could now become permanent residents even without a certificate of entitlement.

Mixed reactions met the court ruling. Human rights groups applauded it for securing family unity, and several legislators called it "respectable" for restoring confidence in Hong Kong’s judicial autonomy. On the other hand, Secretary Ip expressed apprehension over the possible influx of mainland immigrants and illegal migrants to Hong Kong, as a consequence of the precedent-setting decision. She stressed the need for Hong Kong authorities to discuss with their mainland counterparts a possible reduction in the daily quota of 150 mainlanders entering Hong Kong with one-way permits. The SAR government plans to meet with the Beijing government regarding changes in migration policies necessitated by the court decision. The ruling would have significant implications for education, housing, and social welfare services.

In a bid to curb illegal employment and residence by overstaying foreigners, the Hong Kong government reduced visa perks of three South Asian countries namely, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Passport holders from the three countries are now allowed to stay in Hong Kong for14 days only without visas, compared with three months in the past. Moreover, under the new rules, the spouses and other dependents of foreigners cannot sponsor the entry of relatives, unless spouses and dependents work or have right of abode in Hong Kong. Complainants quickly stormed the Indian and Pakistani Consulates, arguing that the move was discriminatory. The Council of Indian Associations, a coalition of 20 different Indian groups, has called for a special meeting with Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. From January to November last year, 354 visitors from the three countries were arrested for overstaying in Hong Kong; 115 were issued deportation orders while 199 were issued removal orders.

The SAR government is about to launch a study to see why the labor force continues to increase rapidly, thus contributing to high unemployment. According to Education and Manpower Secretary Joseph Won Wing-ping, the study will try to analyze where the additional labor force is coming from, what skills they offer, and their impact on the economy. This, he says, is intended to bolster efforts to create more sound economic policies. However, some believe that the study will be used to formulate policies to restrict immigration and screen the entry of migrant laborers.

Hong Kong garment manufacturers, meanwhile, downplayed assertions that labor imports have aggravated unemployment, arguing that there is even difficulty in getting enough skilled people to work in the factories. Thus, garment manufacturers asked government to maintain a liberal stance in the import of laborers.

In a related story, Lee Cheuk-yan, a Frontier legislator, made reservations about liberalizing the importation of labor. He said some garment manufacturers only seek imported labor not for their skills but for their cheap labor, thus giving way to further exploitation of the workers. Mr. Cheul-yan recommends that firms such as these should not be allowed to import labor. This cropped up following reports that eight garment firms owned by Hong Kong, Chinese, and South Korean businesses based in Saipan were maintaining "sweatshops". A class action suit amounting to $1 billion was filed in the US by labor rights groups against these firms, putting the garment industry in bad light. Clinton administration officials are backing up the class suit, and some lawmakers from Capitol Hill are calling for legislative changes in Saipan’s labor practices. (See A MN, 15 January 1998 for more details on the suit.)

The eight firms--which supposedly service prominent clienteles such as Tommy Hillfiger, The Gap, Nordstrom, and Burlingame’s Gymboree--employ around 25,000 workers who are paid below minimum wage standards. Instead of being paid $5.15 per hour, the workers, mostly from mainland China, are paid $3.05 per hour. They are also reportedly enslaved in ill-maintained factories, which are described by labor rights groups as "rat-and-insect-infested".

Jobless Hong Kong nationals looking for easy money are falling prey to criminal elements. Lured to Macau to work as tourist guides for Chinese tourists, unsuspecting Hong Kongers have become victims of robberies or kidnapping. Syndicates send fliers all over Hong Kong promising easy money for potential recruits. The work entails going to Macau where they act as tourist guides. For every tourist brought in by the recruit, he is given a fat commission. However, when the recruit reaches Macau, he is quickly ganged up and robbed, or worse, kidnapped for ransom, by the syndicate.

Sources: Anne Stewart, "Bias Claim as South Asians’ Visa Perks Cut," South China Morning Post, 19 January 1999; "Hong Kong Tightens Visa Rules for South Asians," The Straits Times, 19 January 1999; Robert Collier, "Stalemate in Talks on Saipan Workers," The San Francisco Chronicle," 20 January 1999; Anne Stewart, "South Asians Lash Out at Move to Slash Visa-free Entry," South China Morning Post, 20 January 1999; "Import Labour Still Required," Hong Kong Standard, 20 January 1999; Wang Hui Ling, "Jobless Hong Kong Men Lured to Macau and Robbed," The Strait Times, 22 January 1999; Cindy Sui, "Study into Growth of Labour Force," South China Morning Post, 22 January 1999; Glenn Schloss, "Import Ban on Labour Exploiters Urged," South China Morning Post, 25 January 1999; "Anti-illegals Swoop nets 35," Hong Kong Standard, 25 January 1999; "Tighter Rules Cut Dependant Visa Rights," Hong Kong Standard, 25 January 1999; "Hong Kong, Chinese, South Korean-run Sweatshops Sued in Saipan," Korea Times, 25 January 1999; Erick Ko, "Saipan Wages Almost the Same as Hong Kong," Hong Kong Standard, 26 January 1999; Sources : AFP, "Chinese children win landmark judgment to stay in Hong Kong", Borneo Bulletin, 30 January 1999; AFP, "Landmark case for HK residency", The Star, 30 January 1999; Cliff Buddle, "Influx fears after victory on abode", South China Morning Post, 30 January 1999; Lily Dizon, "Court opens door to children", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; Wang Hui Ling, "Mainland children win case to stay in HK", The Straits Times, 30 January 1999; Ng Kang-chung, "Wave of new illegal immigrants expected", South China Morning Post, 30 January 1999; Ruth Matthewson, "Arrivals could strain schools", South China Morning Post, 30 January 1999; Patsy Moy, "Surge of migrants feared", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; Patsy Moy, "Talks on migration sought", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; May Sin-mi Hon, "Talks on cutting daily one way quota", South China Morning Post, 30 January 1999; Sanna So, "Legal experts laud support for basic rights", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; Agnes Tsang and Grace Loo, "Legislators press for quick action on child processing", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999;"Fighter for the children sheds a tear on day of victory", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; "Judgements on a day to remember", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999; "Rights extend to births before parents’ residency", Hong Kong Standard, 30 January 1999.

South Koreans are going back to the rural areas, following the recent economic recession that left thousands jobless. During its peak last April, the economic recession sent more than 1,429 household packing for the countryside. Overall, a record 6,000 families left the cities to relocate in the rural areas. Most have moved to South Cholla and have taken up rice farming.

Because of the decline in the number of Amerasian children in Korea (who were the former beneficiaries of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation), children of migrants workers (whose numbers have steadily increased over the years) are now being targeted as beneficiaries of the foundation. In the past 35 years, more than 5,000 Korean Amerasians have benefited from the foundation. Now, the foundation intends to focus on children of migrant workers, specifically of workers who are illegally residing and working in the country. These children have often been described as living in dire poverty, and often face abandonment when their fathers are deported from the country.

After initial talks between Korean and Saudi officials, around 5,000 nurses from Korea are set to go to Saudi Arabia in the coming years. The nurses are to fill medical positions in health and hospital centers in the Middle East. In the past, hundreds of Korean medical personnel have gone abroad to work, providing valuable remittances to the Korean economy. From 1977-1982, for instance, more than a thousand nurses went to work in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain, and Libya.

Following the economic crisis in late 1997, more than 60,000 illegal aliens left the country to seek greener pastures in other economies. However, beginning this month, the number of illegal aliens entering and staying in the country dramatically increased. Estimates by the Justice Ministry placed the number of illegal aliens at close to 100,000. Chinese illegal aliens account for nearly 56% or roughly 55,600 of this number; 7,400 are Bangladeshis; 6,400, Filipinos, 5,500, Mongolians, and 3,700, Vietnamese.

Sources: John Larkin, "Recession Fans Rural Migration," South China Morning Post, 18 January 1999; "Korean Nurses to Find Work in Saudi Arabia," Korea Times, 24 January 1999; "Number of Illegal Aliens on Rise Again," Korea Times, 24 January 1999; "Pearl S. Buck Foundation Reaches Out to Foreign Laborers’ Kids," Korea Times, 26 January 1999.

Taiwan (see also Vietnam)

There may be fewer job opportunities for migrant workers in Taiwan following the issuance of new policies to gradually decrease the number of foreign workers in the country and to abandon laws protecting foreign house-keepers. Just recently, the Labour Committee of Taiwan resolved to punish Taiwanese companies that lay off local workers and then hire foreign workers.

Source: "Thais in Taiwan Face New Job Rules," Bangkok Post, 20 January 1999.

Bangladesh (see Singapore)

Some 190 North America-bound Sri Lankan Tamils on a ferry from the West African coast were intercepted by the Senegalese coast guard, on the request of Canadian and American authorities. They were supposed to transfer to a Liberian-registered ship that would bring them to Canada where they wanted to claim refugee status. Victimized by human traffickers, to whom each reportedly paid $14,000, the Tamils were subsequently repatriated to Sri Lanka which assured the captors of their safety. After successive cases of illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka, India and West African countries being dropped of its coasts since 1986, the Canadian government has established contacts and informers in various countries to prevent what it called a "human-smuggling operation."

According to a recent study by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the number of jobs open to Sri Lankans in Malaysia have steadily increased. The new job opportunities include domestic services.

Refugee families displaced by the 1983 violence have been resettled in northern and eastern Sri Lanka following clearing operation of the civil administration. According to the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Authority of the North (RRAN), 126,281 families have been resettled in three different areas namely the Jaffna Peninsula (101,953 families), Vavuniya (15,119), and Mannar (9,209). The families were given settling allowances of Rs 5,000 each and a grant of Rs 25,000 for those with monthly incomes less than Rs 1,500.

Sources : Ajit Jain, "Canada stopped Lankan Tamils’ illegal entry attempt", Daily News, 19 January 1999; Ananda Kannangara, "Job Opportunities for Lankans in Malaysia," Daily News, 23 January 1999; "Refugee Families Resettled," Daily News, 28 January 1999.

Last year the Immigration Department deported 72,841 illegal immigrants, which included 65,477 Indonesians, 2,727 Bangladeshis, 1,938 from Myanmar, 734 Thais, 604 Indians, 466 Pakistanis, 199 Filipinos, 121 Chinese and 575 from other countries. Malaysia spent RM4 million (or S$1.8m) to "sponsor" close to 44,000 immigrants (of whom 41,958 were Indonesians at RM60 per head) since the immigrants were penniless when they were arrested. The estimated costs of deporting immigrants from other countries are: RM60 for Thailand, RM600 to RM700 for the Philippines, RM750 for Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Deporting immigrants from African countries could cost as much as RM4,000 to RM5,000. There are no arrangements that would allow the Department to request the embassies and High Commissions to foot the expenses, unless the employers are asked by the court to shoulder the bill for deporting foreigners they employed illegally.

In related news, proposed amendments to the Immigration Act include, among others, the empowering of the Immigration Department to go after and prosecute employers of illegal aliens. The said amendment would make employers of such illegals solely responsible for the crime.

Singapore is the top choice of most Malaysians who gave up their citizenship and emigrated abroad in recent years. A total of 73,264 Malaysians renounced their citizenship to emigrate to Singapore compared to 342 who settled in Australia. Some 3,872 Malaysians gave up their citizenship to emigrate to India. There were no details given on the period when such emigration took place. The clarification came up in response to the remarks by Australian High Commissioner R.L. Cotton who was quoted as saying that more Malaysians were seeking permanent residence in Australia because of the crisis. Applications had gone up by about 60% and the number of approvals gad increased by 54% in the past two years. Data show that there were 3,555 and 2,627 Malaysians who renounced their citizenship in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The reasons for emigration cannot be ascertained. The gap between the number of applications for emigration and those who renounce their citizenship may indicate that some Malaysians may be seeking dual citizenship, which is an offence in Malaysia. Some 3,243 Malaysians had been stripped of their citizenship due to this.

Malaysian authorities are on the lookout for travelers using forged or fake passports. In the past three months, authorities have managed to collar 40 illegal entrants using fake passports to get into and out of the country. The fake passports are allegedly being sold by crime rings linked to the Chinese triad and other organized crime groups. Malaysia is said to be the central transit point of these fake passport holders.

Sources: "KL pays $1.8m to deport penniless illegals", The Straits Times, 21 January 1999; "Malaysian Emigrants Prefer Singapore," The Straits Times, 23 January 1999; "Police On Trail Of Fake Passport Ring," The Straits Times, 23 January 1999.

Philippines (see also Malaysia)

The lingering effect of the Asian economic crisis has affected thousands of jobs across the region, severely affecting the job tenure of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In a recent meeting among Philippine foreign officials, concern was raised over the fate of thousands of unskilled workers, particularly domestic workers in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Malaysia. The decline in economic activities in Asia and around the globe as a consequence of the crisis has resulted in job loses for many OFWs.

More than 100 Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong held a protest rally in Hong Kong to denounce plans to reduce minimum pays of foreign domestic workers in the country. The pay cut--which will reduce the $3,860 monthly income of the maids to $3,088--will affect the over 140,000 Filipina maids working in Hong Kong. According to Hong Kong’s Education and Manpower Bureau, the pay cut is the direct result of the regional crisis that hit Asia. The maids, however, said that they should not be the ones made to suffer, considering that their salaries have not increased for more than three years, and that they already belong to the lowest rung of the income ladder in Hong Kong.

No less than Philippine President Joseph Estrada took the cause of the maids. In his directive to the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong, President Estrada asked consulate officials to exhaust all possible options to help the Filipina maids.

However, despite reports of lesser pay for domestic helpers, the number of incoming foreign domestic workers continues to rise. According to the Immigration Department, the number of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong increased by 6 percent from last years figure. There are currently 180,600 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, the majority of which are Filipinas.

Filipina domestic helpers working in Hong Kong are accusing the Philippine consulate of "ripping them off". The domestic helpers say that the consulate had been charging them fees for work contract authentication and other work-related documents. The consulate, for instance, requires domestic helpers who lose their passports to obtain an affidavit of loss for HK$170, before they are issued new passports which they pay for HK$750. Renewing a passport costs HK$510. In comparison, the US consulate only charges HK$462 to replace a passport. Vice consul Raul Hernandez says the fees are necessary. The United Filipinos in Hong Kong, a coalition of 83 groups, is gearing up to campaign for lower fees.

Nineteen Filipino seamen are still missing after their cargo ship, the MV Pixy Marzo, disappeared last December 8, 1998 in the Taiwan Straits. The cargo vessel was carrying a load of Chinese clay to Taiwan. Colex Maritime Inc., a Manila-based staffing agency, reported that the MV Pixy Marzo sent 11 distress signals before it allegedly got lost at sea. However, Kanlungan Center, an NGO, expressed doubts over Colex’s reports and over the fate of the 19 Filipino seamen. They speculate that the seamen may have been the victims of piracy or a conspiracy. Ships are declared missing, and then resurface sometime in the future bearing another name. According to Kanlungan Center, this has been going on for some time.

Over 3,000 Filipinas aged between 18 and 36 years old are reportedly being set up as a mail-order brides on the internet. The women are featured in thumbprint full body pictures with their bio-data. Subscribers to the internet can get the addresses of these women upon payment through their credit cards. According to Ricardo Reyes, chief of the National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Child Abuse, Discrimination, and Exploitation Division, they are currently looking into the Heart of Asia Romance Network, allegedly the provider of the mail-order bride service.

The incoming US consul general in Manila, John Caulfield, promised to change the system of visa application in their embassy in Manila. According to him, the new system will accommodate only a certain number of applicants per day at the embassy. Applicants, instead of lining up at the embassy to be interviewed, would be given a schedule for their interviews.

Sources: Ceres P. Doyo, "Were 19 Seamen Victims of Piracy?" Philippine Daily Inquirer, 18 January 1999; Cindy Sui, "Consulate Ripping Off Maids With Fees," South China Morning Post, 18 January 1999; "Maids Fight Wage-cut Proposal," The Straits Times, 25 January 1999; Tessi Cruz, "Estrada Asks Consulate to Back Maids," Hong Kong Standard, 26 January 1999; Glenn Schloss, "Manila Opposes Pay Cut," South China Morning Post, 26 January 1999; Norman Bordadora, "Net Has 3,000 Pinay E-mail Order Brides," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 20 January 1999; "Hundreds of Filipino Maids Protest Hong Kong Pay Cut Proposal,"Jun Ramirez, "Long Embassy Lines Out Soon," Manila Bulletin, 28 January 1999; Christine Avendano, "Many Overseas Workers Idled by Global Crisis," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 January 1999; Lucia Tabgi, "Pay Cut Drive Fails to Halt Rise in Foreign Domestic Helpers," Hong Kong Standard, 1 February 1999.

Singapore (see also Malaysia)

A Bangladeshi illegal immigrant, Mohamed Salim Abdul Siraju Islam, made the first escape from the two-year old Portsdown Prison, a minimum security prison in Singapore. Portsdown houses more than 1,200 illegal immigrants and overstayers, 314 of whom are serving sentences for cheating and theft offenses, and 914 are awaiting repatriation. Illegal entrants in Singapore face caning and a six-month jail term. Those who harbor or employ illegal aliens, face a jail term of up to two years, fines of up to S$6,000, and possible caning.

More and more Singaporean students are expected to leave for attachment studies or work abroad. This seems to be the trend following the increase in the number of Singaporean students leaving for overseas as part of their school’s education program. The students either work in foreign companies abroad or take part in student exchange programs. According to school officials, the programs benefit not only the students (who are exposed to a wide variety of learning and experiences), but also the country when students return with new ideas.

Sources: Chang Ai-lien, "Illegal Immigrant Escapes from Jail," The Straits Times, 19 January 1999; "Raids Against Illegals," The Straits Times, 23 January 1999; "Schemes for Overseas Attachment Take Off," The Strait Times, 24 January 1999.

Thailand plans to propose the setting up of a regional mechanism to deal with migrants in Asia during the international symposium towards regional cooperation on undocumented migration. The proposal primarily calls for a multilateral approach to the problem of migration, which has now become an international issue. Thailand will host the said symposium slated in April 21-23. Eighteen countries, including the nine member states of the ASEAN, are due to participate in the symposium.

Immigration police have asked the military to help stop the influx of illegal aliens to the country. The targets are mostly Burmese immigrants who enter the country though the Kanchanburi’s Sangkla District. According to immigration police, they do not have enough manpower to handle the large volume of illegal entrants.

A new consular department will open in February. The new consular is tasked with issuing passports and visas, legalize marriages between Thais and foreigners, facilitate absentee voting for overseas Thais, and protect the interests of Thai nationals in other countries. Chiasiri Anaman was appointed as the first director-general of the new consular department.

Members of the Needy Northeastern Farmers Assembly turned up at the Employment Department to ask for help in the arrest and the persecution of illegal recruiters who duped them into paying thousands of baht for work abroad. According to the farmers, the recruiters promised them employment overseas in exchange for brokerage fees. However, it turned out the recruiters were frauds who ran away with their hard earned money, leaving the farmers with huge debts. Nakhon Silpa-archa, deputy-director general of the Employment Department, said the farmers’ complaints will be taken into consideration. He said that there are loopholes in the system, and that the legal prosecution of illegal recruiters is complex and takes time.

The resettlement of more than 3,000 Karen refugees in Ban Nai Soi, Murang district to camps in Pang Tractor and Pang Khai was called off following protest from tour operators and farmers. According to tour operators, the Karens are tourist attractions in the area, and thus bring in income for the district. To the farmers, the Karens provide cheap labor. Karens are usually paid 50-70 baht for a day’s work in the garlic and soybean plantations in the area. Sources said that apart from the protest, there was not enough money to fund the relocation following the refusal of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to help out.

Sources: Penchan Charoensuthipan, "Victims Seek Action Against Bad Brokers," Bangkok Post, 21 January 1999; Cheewin Sattha and Mae Hong San, "Relocation Plan Shelved After Protest," Bangkok Post, 21 January 1999; "Consular Department Opens of February 2," Bangkok Post, 21 January 1999; Anucha Charoenpo, "Police Seek Military Help," Bangkok Post, 24 January 1999; Bhanravee Tansubhapol, "Thais Want Regional Mechanism," Bangkok Post, 24 January 1999;

In recent years, more than 17,000 young Vietnamese women had married older Taiwanese men in a bid to get visas and escape poverty in their country. The men choose their potential mates from photographs, and then fly off to Ho Chi Minh City where a matchmaker will take of the rest of the job. According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Hanoi, there seems to be no stopping the trend. Most of the foreign men reportedly come from lower or middle-income classes, are less educated, and are from rural areas. Nonetheless, they were still seen to offer a short cut to a better life for these young Vietnamese women.

However, the decision to marry these foreigners and to move to foreign lands pose many risks. Apart from the language problem, the women also wait for years before they can be considered citizens. This lends them vulnerable to abuse. In one particular case, a Vietnamese woman was made the sex slave of her Taiwanese husband.

Sources: Agence France-Presse, "Risky Way Out for Vietnamese Women," South China Morning Post, 18 January 1999; Frederik Balfour, "Taiwanese Flock to Vietnam for Brides," Borneo Bulletin, 21 January 1999.