Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

The summary of data contained in the 2015 UNODC report (Table 9.2),
with its many “unknowns”, caveats and broad estimations, provides further
insight into the very real impediments to estimating and reporting on smuggling
in South-East Asia. But, as noted above, this has not prevented the emergence
of general agreement on broad trends. It is generally acknowledged that migrant
smuggling is characterized as follows: (a) widespread throughout South-East
Asia, acting mainly to support specific sectors of national economies that rely
heavily on unregulated labour; (b) often merges with human trafficking (as well
as other illicit activities such as drug smuggling); and (c) facilitated by corrupted
authorities and officials. These factors conspire to pose very significant risks to
migrants’ rights and well-being, irrespective of the reasons underpinning their
unauthorized migration.
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9. South-East Asia and Australia