Illustrative image (Source: thestar.com.my) Hanoi (VNA) - Officials and police from Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia met in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on October 18 to discuss cooperation in fighting human trafficking and labour exploitation in the fishing industry in the region.
The two-day meeting focused on cooperation in legal matters, exchange of viewpoints and information to ensure smooth investigation of criminal acts.
Myanmar Police Chief Major General Zaw Win said the Australia-Asia Programme to Combat Trafficking in Persons and other organisations are providing technical aid for the joint efforts.
According to the United Nations, the number of migrants in the region hit a record 65.3 million in 2015, who easily become the target of human trafficking and labour exploitation.
Zaw Win urged the four nations to investigate organisations involved in exploiting workers, providing basic education for workers and set up humanitarian societies where migrants can be assimilated easily, in order to better protect the rights of fishery workers.
The Australian Ambassador to Myanmar said his country is helping with police training, cross-border investigation and repatriation of victims to their home countries, among others.
Thai Police Chief Khemmarin Hasiri, for his part, called for cooperation in sharing news and information in combating human trafficking.
Most of the exploited fishery workers are from Myanmar and fishing boats are mostly owned by Thai nationals. They often go fishing in the Indonesian territory.-VNA
