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Why Vietnam Can't Stop Risky Migration to Richer Countries

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Vietnam's prime minister has ordered an investigation
   into whether 39 people found dead in a truck in the United Kingdom last
   month were trafficked out of his country illegally.

   While the order may mollify outraged Vietnamese citizens, experts fear
   it masks the government's longer-term powerlessness to stop people from
   being smuggled into wealthier countries for money.

   The discovery by police in southeastern England quickly cast attention
   on human trafficking from Vietnam to Europe where incomes are higher.
   Several arrests have been made in the United Kingdom, and one man was
   charged with conspiracy to traffic people.

   But an elaborate international chain of command to move people out of
   Vietnam for high-paid work offshore has grown so mature, dating back to
   when Vietnam was poorer than it is today, that government officials
   will find it hard if not impossible to stop, experts say.

   "This is a never-ending fight," said Carl Thayer, Southeast
   Asia-specialized emeritus professor of politics at The University of
   New South Wales in Australia. "The rewards to the smugglers are too
   great and the nirvana lifestyle they offer to the people (who) are
   desperate."

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