The vulnerable situations the interviewed migrant workers face expose them to a
broad variety of abuse. With their original documents confiscated, any movement or extortion from corrupt authorities or officials. Burmese workers interviewed
explained being arrested and extorted by the local police to pay THB 1 000-3 000
each time because of the lack of original documents.77 These seemingly systematic
acts of corruption would often lead to an increase of the individual’s debt, as brokers
or employers most commonly are the ones who bail them out.
Discrimination is part of the migrant workers’ everyday life. It takes many forms. For
example, Thai colleagues were reported to get better conditions, salaries and benefits.
According to the interviewees at all factories discrimination is exercised by managers
as well as by the brokers.