Human Trafficking

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CCO 107 World Histories and Issues

Tutor Marked Assignment [TMA] July 2017

Tan Jolynn

Y1780918

Word Count - 1000

Introduction

Human trafficking, like a huge umbrella, can shelter different forms such as sex trafficking, forced labour, etc. My assignment focuses on forced labour – arguably the largest global human trafficking sector. Forced labour is, defined by International Labour Organization [ILO], as ‘all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.’

Myanmar

Myanmar, now known as Burma, has been described as a ‘Praetorian State’ due to the leviathan-type armed forces [Tatmadaw] involvement in policy control. After overthrowing British colonial rule, Tatmadaw inherited the role of governing Burma and to date, still remain as the most powerful political institution.

Decades of authoritarian rule led to the growth of Tatmadaw’s influence over its’ people. Stemmed from an underlying fear of losing control over Burma’s multi-faceted society, its’ development agenda’ of expanding troop deployment was a large contributing factor for growing demands of forced labour – particularly in the military sector.

Recruitment patterns

Demographically, majority [two-third] of Burma’s population belong to the ‘Burman’ ethnic group and the remaining split into as many as 145 minor ethnic groups.  

By choosing to source for forced labour in insurgent-occupied territories,

Tatmadaw’s goals of expanding military territorial control, gaining accessibility to government-restricted land and garnering more support as resilience of minorities’ weakened gradually could be more effectively achieved.  

Campaigns, bribes, coercion, threats and violence are common tactics deployed to recruit forced military labour. Responding to economic sanctions imposed by United States [US] as a result of Burma’s 2016 Tier 3 Ranking, means of recruiting have shifted from formally written orders or informal abduction to issuance of verbal orders.

Tiers ranking, mandated by US Trafficking Victims Protection Act [TVPA], are ascribed after assessing government’s efforts to meet the TVPA’s minimum standards for elimination of human trafficking.

Any evidence of formal recruitment letters or eyewitnesses’ reports of abduction would prove disadvantageous to Burma’s attempts of convincing US to lift these detrimental economic sanctions.  

Transit patterns

Exploitation of forced military labour within Burma, usually revolves around development zones – commonly thought to be the hornet’s nest for execution of anti-government activities.

Porters shoulder loads pilled with food and military supplies that weigh between 16 to 33 kg while marching long distances through various villages without rest. Heartless ignorance or brutal punishments are common reactions to any signs of declining pace or collapse.  

Villages within development zones, military camps and infantry battalions are spots commonly used to provide labour for the construction of commercial ventures’ infrastructure. While transiting, porters protect soldiers by assuming the role of human minesweepers to detonate hidden mines.  

Through the implementation of infrastructure and regimentation projects, Tatmadaw exert military control over civilians’ rights by restricting travel and trade, fuelling growth in the industry of forced military labour.

Exploitation patterns

Military camps, armed forces and military-supported commercial ventures are common sources where forced military labour is exploited. This deters any rebellious acts or plans by conveying the message that it’s’ power should not be belittled.

With more development projects being created, military rule over its’ people are also increasing, thus raising concerns for the welfare of Burma’s civilians. Doing more harm than good, seeking help increases the likelihood of victims’ being punished as lack of protection and culture of military impunity have dashed victims’ hope for democracy and justice

Other than physical abuse, the military abuse vulnerabilities – created to maximize control over the victims. The causality dilemma concept leads to the conclusion that it is the victims’ vulnerable position that gives rise to the perpetrators’ position of power.

National Strategies

Despite clashing goals between Burma’s development agenda and international efforts to eradicate forced labour, it’s undeniably essential to establish diplomatic relations with United Nations [UN]. Albeit superficial, slight progress were made to protect victims and enforce law on officials guilty of exploiting child military labour. Carefully planned UN inspectional site visits might be one of the reasons causing Burma’s tier ranking to improve in 2017 as these visits act as assessment tools for ranking and possibly, subsequent imposing of corrective actions.    

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