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Victim of labour exploitation: I'll never go back to work in Thailand
Sovan and his older sister have been tricked into migrating into Thailand to work in a sugar cane field. Sovan then became a victim of labour exploitation in Thailand. Through Economic Empowerment to Vulnerable and Trafficked Persons (EEVP) Project, he has been turned to be a bike repairer upon his return to his village. “I was told that I would make a lot of money, around 30,000 to 50,000 riel a day from working in Thailand. I thought I would send the money I earned back home. But in fact, I could earn nothing,” he said. Sovan and his older sister went to Thailand in early 2009 in a group of seven people from his village, in a hope that he would have a good job, but in fact the reverse was true. He worked as a sugar-cane cutter in the field where he was forced to work long hours, from 6am to 5pm, and could earn only 30 baht a day (less than one US dollar).
“On the day of departure from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, my group was very happy because we travelled by a very nice tourist van with air conditioner. Upon arrival at Siem Reap, we took a big truck to Thailand. By then, I realized we were tricked but it was too late,” he said. Sovan said when they arrived in Thailand, they were dumped at a sugar-cane field at night time. They were shocked to hear that all of them had to work and pay debts of 100,000 Riel each. “We didn't know what to do besides working to pay our debts,” he said. Luckily one day his elder sister managed to escape and was rescued by a Cambodian family who returned to Cambodia. Sovan said, when realizing the group's squalid condition and suffering, the family facilitated the return for the group.
Today, Sovan could earn between10,000 and 15,000 Riel per day from repairing bicycles and motorcycles. Sovan said he is committed to running this business successfully. “I keep all the earnings with my uncle and I will take this job as my life career,” he said. Sovan said in his final words that he would no longer go to work in Thailand, and would share his bitter experience with other villagers. |
Oil and grease stains Sovan’s face and hands black as he is busy repairing a bicycle for his client. Another bike is also awaiting his service. Sovan, now 18 years old, lives with his uncle in Prey Khla village, Prey Kandieng commune, Peam Ror district, Prey Veng Province. His parents got divorced and he quitted school when he was at grade 5 of the primary school.
Furthermore, he had to pay 300 baht per month to police so that he would be permitted to continue working in Thailand.
Sovan and other six persons returned home safely. All people in the group, including his sister, chose to work in Phnom Penh, while Sovan chose to return home and live with his uncle in the village. The village chief and his uncle, by then, requested for EEVP's support for Sovan. In June, 2010 EEVP decided to support him by providing vocational training on repairing bicycle and motorcycles. Phone: (855) 23 224 801 / 993 675 | E-mail: office@cosecam.org | Website: www.cosecam.org