Migrant workers and human rights in Southeast Asia

Amnesty International has focused on migrant rights in Malaysia and Thailand, two main receiving countries of migrant workers in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of migrant workers in Thailand are from Myanmar, some of whom are also potentially refugees fleeing from persecution. Thailand also receives a significant number of migrant workers from Cambodia and Laos. Malaysia hosts migrants from many countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Myanmar. Many of the latter are also potential refugees. Migrant workers suffer from a wide range of abuses in receiving countries, from their employers, recruiting agents, and the security forces.