"We should not think that all internal workers are exploited," said Forster. "Actually, research shows internal migrants moving to urban areas are economically better off. That's one of the reasons why they move."
Vietnam also has an official policy to promote sending temporary laborers abroad. Around 80 to 100,000 Vietnamese workers leave the country, through official channels, every year.
The United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking says labor reforms in China are actually fueling abuses among Vietnamese. A 2008 law in China mandates better pay and benefits for Chinese nationals, so Chinese employers instead hire Vietnamese laborers who are exempt from the provisions. However, Forster says the two governments are working together to tackle exploitation.
"There is some ongoing cooperation between Vietnam and China," Forster added. "This year they signed a memorandum of understanding to address trafficking in human beings so there is a legal basis for cooperation. There is also a sub-regional process involving Mekong sub-regional countries, including China."
Although Ngoc welcomes Vietnam's anti-trafficking law, he says there needs to be a firmer commitment from government agencies and outside groups to get better results. He says one reason for the lack of progress is local governments not wanting to take responsibility.
"They don't want to admit there is trafficking of Vietnamese women," Ngoc noted. "It's really sensitive, for example if you work as a provincial authority you don't want to say there is a lot of human trafficking from my own province."
最新
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27