A special project is aiming to tackle human trafficking off Myanmar’s coast, Lieutenant General Kyaw Swe, the military-appointed minister of home affairs, told the trafficking central committee in Nay Pyi Taw. Because of the change of fishing restrictions, foreign crews are now catching fish in Myanmar’s waters so we have drawn up a strategy across departments to tackle trafficking, said Kyaw Swe. Myanmar hosted a meeting on the issue with representatives from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia in October. The fishing industry, legal action against human traffickers and exploitation of labour in other industries were discussed. The meeting also focused on promoting of cooperation between the four countries. It agreed that eight workers from Myanmar who were trafficked to Indonesian waters would receive compensation. Kyaw Swe said that the ministry provided over Ks124 million to 25 victims.
2017, Eleven Myanmar