From Migrant Worker to Advocate: Soun Sreymom’s Journey

Soun Sreymom’s transformation from a Cambodian migrant worker facing exploitation to a leading advocate for safe migration and workers’ rights is nothing short of inspiring. Her experiences, now channeled into community leadership and education, highlight the critical need for support and resources for migrant workers in Southeast Asia.

The Harsh Realities of Migration

Each year, approximately 1.3 million Cambodians seek employment abroad, contributing substantially to Southeast Asia’s economy. Women constitute nearly half of the region’s 10 million migrants. These women are a vital economic force, sending remittances back to support their families and communities. Unfortunately, many face notable challenges. For sreymom, now living in Kampong Speu Province, her initial experiences were fraught with difficulty.

“I faced challenges when switching from one job to another,” she recalls. “First, I believed that changing jobs would led to safer and less demanding work environments. However, the reality was the opposite, and the difficulties got worse with each job change. We had no choice but to accept these tough and unsafe jobs.”

Sreymom spent 12 years migrating between Cambodia and Thailand, encountering stark contrasts between promised opportunities and harsh realities. Language barriers and lack of legal documentation frequently enough led to exploitation. “When I first migrated, I didn’t know the language,” Sreymom explains. “I worked as a rubber tapper. We didn’t know when we would get paid or anything. We didn’t dare to ask because we didn’t know the language. So, for the first five months, we didn’t get any pay from the boss.”

This experience highlights the vulnerability of many migrant workers who lack access to information and legal protections. The lack of language skills exacerbates their isolation and makes them susceptible to abuse.

Becoming a Voice for Change

Returning to Cambodia in 2018, Sreymom joined the Peer Network for Women Migrant Workers (PNWMW), initially part of the Safe and Fair Programme.this network transitioned to the PROTECT project, in partnership with the ILO, UN Women, UNODC, and UNICEF, funded by the European Union. The PROTECT project focuses on safeguarding the rights of women and children migrant workers in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The peer networks are vital support systems, offering safe spaces for women to connect, share experiences, learn about risks, and access essential support services.”Mostly,as women working in other countries,we need support to talk to our families,share our problems,or find help to leave a difficult situation,” Sreymom emphasizes.

Leveraging Technology for Support

Through the PNWMW, Sreymom discovered the “My Journey” mobile app, providing crucial information and emergency support to migrants. “At first, as a migrant, I didn’t know much. I just went.But this app guides us, no matter where we are, and provides contact numbers we can use if we are in trouble.” She now actively promotes the app within her community, offering a lifeline to those working abroad.“I share it with my relatives who are already in Thailand and lack support and information. They love the app as now they have something to rely on.”

Empowering Communities Through Dialog and Education

Sreymom’s journey continues as she prepares to lead community dialogues on gender, migration, and violence against women, utilizing “Photo-language” cards co-designed with other migrant women. These dialogues create a platform for sharing experiences and raising awareness.

Driven by her belief that education can prevent unsafe migration, Sreymom also teaches kindergarten in her community. “People in my village are mostly poor, and children have difficulty continuing their studies due to family conditions. some children migrate with their parents. Without education, they will end up working in low-paid jobs or migrating without proper documentation,” she explains. Her dedication has been recognized, and she is set to become a formal kindergarten teacher under the ministry of education, Youth, and Sports.

Her transformation underscores her community contributions. “Some people in my village ask me if they should migrate to Thailand for work,” she says. “I tell them that migration is their choice. But if they really need to go, they should go through a regular channel, with all the required documents, to be safe and avoid the hardships I faced.”

Moving Forward

Soun Sreymom’s journey exemplifies the power of resilience and the importance of community-based solutions in addressing the challenges faced by migrant workers. her work highlights the need for continued efforts to provide safe migration information, legal protections, and educational opportunities. As Khun Sophea notes, “There’s a strong sense of isolation as many don’t speak the language of the destination country and lack a deep understanding of its culture. additionally, they struggle with a lack of information about essential services and don’t have any support networks, making it difficult to find help if they face abuse or discrimination.”

Sreymom’s final words capture her transformation: “I’ve had the opportunity to become more confident and gain a clearer understanding of myself. I feel like I have been given a voice.”

Inspired by Sreymom’s story? Learn more about the PROTECT project and how you can support safe migration initiatives in Southeast Asia. Share this article to raise awareness and help empower migrant workers.

How can individuals living in countries outside of Southeast Asia contribute to supporting safe migration initiatives for workers in the region?

Empowering Migrant Workers: A Conversation with Social Advocate, Anya Sharma

we sat down with Anya Sharma, a fictional Social Welfare Advocate with extensive experience in Southeast Asia, to discuss the challenges faced by migrant workers and the vital work being done to support them.Anya sheds light on the realities of migration, the importance of community-based support, and the role of technology in empowering vulnerable workers.

Understanding the Realities of labor Migration

Archyde: Anya, thank you for joining us. The stories emerging from Southeast Asia regarding migrant worker experiences can be quite harrowing. Could you paint a picture of the common challenges these workers face?

Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. It’s true, many face immense challenges. A key issue is the disparity between promised opportunities and the actual realities they encounter. Language barriers frequently enough lead to exploitation, and lack of legal documentation leaves them incredibly vulnerable. Many, like Soun Sreymom, whose story is truly inspiring, find themselves trapped in cycles of precarious employment.

The Power of Peer Support Networks

Archyde: Sreymom’s involvement with the Peer Network for Women Migrant Workers sounds crucial. How do these networks make a difference in the lives of migrant workers?

Anya Sharma: Peer networks are absolutely vital. They provide a safe space for women to connect, share their experiences, and access essential support services. Imagine being in a foreign country, unable to speak the language, and facing abuse. Knowing there’s a network where you can find someone who understands and can offer help is a lifeline. it creates a sense of community and empowers them to seek assistance.

Technology as a Tool for Empowerment

Archyde: The “My Journey” mobile app is mentioned as a meaningful resource. How can technology play a role in protecting and supporting migrant workers?

Anya Sharma: technology can be transformative.Apps like “My Journey” provide critical facts and emergency support right at their fingertips. They offer guidance on safe migration, contact numbers for assistance, and resources to navigate challenging situations. It empowers individuals with knowledge and connects them to vital support systems, nonetheless of their location.

Community Dialogues and Education

Archyde: Sreymom is also involved in community dialogues and education initiatives. why is this aspect so critically important in addressing the root causes of unsafe migration?

Anya Sharma: Education is preventative. By providing opportunities for children in vulnerable communities to continue their studies, we reduce the likelihood of them migrating without proper documentation and ending up in exploitative situations. Community dialogues, using tools like “Photo-language” cards, create a platform for sharing experiences and raising awareness about the risks of unsafe migration and gender-based violence. It’s about empowering communities to make informed choices.

Promoting Safe Migration: A Collective Responsibility

Archyde: What would you say are the key steps that need to be taken to ensure the safe migration and protection of the rights of migrant workers?

Anya sharma: It requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to strengthen legal frameworks to protect migrant workers’ rights, provide access to language training and pre-departure orientation, support initiatives like peer networks and mobile apps that offer accessible information and support, and most importantly, work to combat the root causes of migration, such as poverty and lack of opportunities in their home countries. It’s a collective responsibility involving governments, NGOs, international organizations, and the private sector.

A Thought-Provoking Question

Archyde: Anya, what practical steps can individuals take to support safe migration initiatives in Southeast Asia, and what more can be done to raise awareness of this critical issue? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.