This joint research looks at situations of migrant workers in their major seven destinations in East and Southeast Asia, namely Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Joined by practitioners of civil society or migrant support organisations and community-based researchers working directly with migrant workers, this study aims to 1) assesses the impact of COVID-19 response measures and pre-existing migration policies on rights of migrant workers during the pandemic; 2) examine how vulnerabilities translate to lived experiences of migrant workers; and 3) explore how state and non-state actors are dealing with challenges faced by migrant workers. 

Download the report here.

This research is also aimed at amplifying voices of those who are affected and bringing them to the multi-stakeholders at the national and regional levels, and proposes a guideline for protecting rights of migrant workers during a public health crisis. This is part of an initiative of civil society actors in both East and Southeast Asia to work collaboratively to address issues faced by an increasing number of migrants moving cross-regionally.

This research was conducted by HRWG with generous support by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF).

Announcement from HRWG is here.