The Storm Makers, a new documentary about Cambodians seeking work abroad, shows how many of them are tricked and sold into slavery instead.
Storm maker: a local term used to describe a human trafficker, who wreaks havoc and tears apart families and villages.
Here’s a clip from the film, demonstrating how traffickers will use whatever words they can to assuage the victim’s concerns. By the time the victim realizes they’ve been misled, it’s often too late.
OUR TAKE:
- Half a million Cambodians work abroad, many of them ending up in slavery. They leave the country because they’re seeking opportunities to earn money, and some fall for the stories of luxury and riches abroad.
- Most traffickers in developing countries can operate with total impunity, as police officers and government officials can often be paid off.
- The poor are always the easiest targets. Not only are they the most eager to search for work abroad, but also have no recourse or help if their loved one goes missing.
- Job recruitment fees (that the victim has to pay for the “processing of their documents,” travel, etc) are illegal in many countries, because they can lead to debt bondage.
- Traffickers will often hire local women to recruit new victims, as they are seen as more trustworthy, especially by other women.
- Some organizations like Ratanak International are doing something about this. Brian McConaghy, Ratanak’s founder, wants to “traffic proof every community” before more victims fall prey to false promises.
