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Forced labour evident in the Southeast Asian fishing sector

Southeast Asia is home to the world’s largest number of fishers and seafood workers, and millions rely on the fishing sector for their livelihoods. Migrant workers hold a significant share of jobs in this sector, making a significant contribution to the region’s economy. However, many migrant workers face serious risks and exploitation.

To provide an evidence base for interventions, Rapid Asia carried out a major baseline study for the ILO and the report was launched on 25 February 2026. The study was carried out with returned migrants in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, to examine working conditions of migrant workers and the prevalence of forced labour in the fishing and seafood processing sector.

A protester in Bangkok in October (2022), the sign featuring causes spanning Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India (Geem Drake via Getty Images)

Youth Civic Space in Asia-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is home to over 60% of the world’s youth population, positioning youth as key drivers of social and political change. However, the state of youth civic participation in APAC varies widely across a spectrum…

Impact of COVID-19 on low skilled workers

Photo credit: Hamilton Medical To better understand working conditions in a labour market and help better inform interventions and measure progress on labour conditions,…

Protecting vulnerable workers from wage theft

Photo credit: ILO / Marcel Crozet To better understand working conditions in a labour market and help better inform interventions and measure progress towards decent…