BACKGROUND
The USAID Thailand Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Activity seeks to reduce trafficking in persons (TIP) and better protect the rights of trafficked persons by reducing demand and incentives for trafficked labor, empowering at-risk populations to safeguard their rights, and strengthening protection systems for survivors. In partnership with public and private sector actors, including civil society organizations (CSOs), USAID Thailand CTIP strengthens collaboration to address TIP risks nationally. The Activity works closely with provincial-level government counterparts in Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Sa Kaeo, Phuket, Phang Nga, Tak, and Phitsanulok, prioritizing the rights of migrant workers and sectors most susceptible to TIP, including fishing, agriculture, construction, and domestic work.
GOALS
Reducing Demand and Incentives for Trafficked Labor: USAID Thailand CTIP collaborates with businesses to combat labor exploitation. In partnership with Mars Petcare, the program developed and launched the Connectivity at Sea app, a technology allowing workers on boats to communicate and report labor abuses via phone while at sea. The program raises community awareness of topics including gender-based violence, worker rights, and forced criminality through online campaigns, in-person events, and video screenings. Research generated by USAID Thailand CTIP is used to mediate dialogues with government decision makers to improve labor protection and migration laws that impact the rights of migrant workers.
Empowering At-Risk Populations: USAID Thailand CTIP empowers at-risk groups by expanding access to reliable information and protection tools for migrants in source and destination countries, such as through the online Thailand Migrant Protection Resource Toolkit. The program works with CSOs to connect vulnerable workers with legal aid to help them file labor grievances, mediate with employers, and receive support, including shelter, healthcare, and remediation. It amplifies migrant voices, fostering contributions to policy dialogues with the private sector and government and encouraging empathy among Thai nationals.
Strengthening Protection Systems: USAID Thailand CTIP collaborates closely with government agencies at national and local levels to identify TIP survivors and strengthen support services for them. The program supports Thailand's National Referral Mechanism rollout through targeted capacity building of local government and CSOs, including developing provincial implementing guidelines. It maintains a focus on protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) TIP survivors through training on shelter management and safeguarding, and on enabling first responders to identify both Thai and international victims of trafficking for forced criminality.
KEY RESULTS
Partnered with the Coca Cola Company to address debt bondage and expand engagement with the sugarcane supply chain by conducting a prevalence study to inform strategies to reduce debt bondage while keeping the farms competitive in an international marketplace that increasingly prioritizes transparency and human rights.
Launched an online photography and storytelling website, Inside Khonnok, to amplify migrant voices, open dialogue, and challenge discrimination against migrants in Thailand, which has reached over 2.2 million users, sparking social and behavioral change.
Established seven District Anti-Trafficking in Persons committees and trained 160 committee members to create action plans that strengthened cross-border cooperation on trafficking survivor protection, leading to the repatriation of 370 Thai survivors of labor exploitation and TIP from neighboring countries.
Partnered with World Vision to support local governments in screening of TIP survivors, including providing CSO experts to share service provider expertise, clarify legal questions among law enforcement, and contribute to a trauma-informed approach.
Launched an NGO networking platform in Thailand to empower migrants through increased coordination of local NGOs; connected directly with local migrant activist groups to strengthen their collective bargaining power; and trained migrant leaders on labor rights and social security, empowering them to assert their rights effectively.
Completed a study on “Service Provision for Gender Minorities in Shelters for Human Trafficking Survivors in Thailand,” examining services available for LGBTQI+ survivors of TIP, analyzing government assistant procedures in TIP shelters, identifying gaps, and proposing recommendations to the government for gender-inclusive shelter services.
