The Analysis of Corruption in Transnational Migrant Workers’ Brokerage Networks within the Thai Seafood Processing Industry: A Case of Recruitment Agency through Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments in the Employment of Workers (MOU)
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Abstract
The research objectives were 1) to analyze characteristics of transnational brokerage networks and types of corruption within the Thai seafood processing industry, a case study of authorized employment companies in the category of MoU, and 2) to synthesize for measures to solve and combat corruption within the Thai seafood processing industry. Data collection was conducted via semi-structure and focus group interviews, observation, and reliable secondary data analysis. Population included 113 samples of Myanmar migrant workers, who had migrated to work or currently work in Samut Sakhon and Songkhla areas in the seafood processing industry, individual agents, recruiting companies of Thailand and Myanmar, employers and relevant stakeholders in the field. Data was collected between June and October 2018. Findings showed that characteristics and types of corruption regarding authorized employment agencies or recruiting companies were petty corruption and gray corruption. The corrupting techniques included proving fake information to workers, overcharging fees exceeding the law permitted rate, and bribing some officials. Reasons for existence of corruption and of brokers were 1) the high payment or profit to relevant groups, 2) the existence and acceptance of the patron-client system and of viewpoints considering some types of corruption as normal, and 3) the migrant workers’ unawareness towards the recruitment procedures. The recommendations include the need to promote cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar concerning migrant workers’ employment, to instill good moral and values, to duly penalize the wrongdoers as a way to stop others from imitating the acts, and to provide migrant workers with a proper training before departure to avoid the exploitation from illicit brokers.
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