Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06BANGKOK2293, LABOR EXPORT IS BIG BUSINESS IN THAILAND
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06BANGKOK2293.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06BANGKOK2293 | 2006-04-20 10:16 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Bangkok |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
201016Z Apr 06
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 BANGKOK 002293
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR G/TIP, DRL/IL, CA/FPP, CA/VO/KCC, EAP/MLS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB KCRM CVIS KFRD SMIG PHUM TH
SUBJECT: LABOR EXPORT IS BIG BUSINESS IN THAILAND
REF: Bangkok 1695
¶1. (U) Summary: The recent experiences of Thai farm workers in the
U.S., combined with evidence of widespread fraud in the H2A visa
process (reftel), highlight the plight of Thai workers abroad who
are frequently exploited by labor supply agencies (both Thai and
foreign) that charge heavy and illegal recruitment fees. Workers,
academics and government officials indicate that effectively all of
Thai laborers' first and often second year earnings go to repaying
initial recruitment fees of their employment contracts. In many
cases, workers do not receive the lengthy contracts and terms they
are promised, and return home in significant debt. In the worst
cases, they are shipped abroad again to pay off their recruiting
debt, have their entire salaries confiscated, or are vulnerable to
being trafficked. End Summary.
¶2. (U) Recent labor problems experienced by Thai workers in the U.S.
and other countries, combined with evidence of widespread fraud in
the U.S. H2A visa process (reftel), have highlighted the plight of
Thai workers abroad who have been exploited by labor supply agencies
(both Thai and foreign) charging heavy and illegal recruitment fees.
The total number of Thai workers abroad ranges from 350,000 to
400,000. Media stories in the past year have noted strikes by Thai
workers protesting conditions in Taiwan, and groups of Thai workers
in the U.S. fleeing farms in North Carolina to seek work elsewhere
or, in some cases, to apply for T visas as victims of trafficking.
Although the number of Thai guest workers in the U.S. (approx.
8,000) is small compared to Thai workers in other countries (such as
Taiwan, with over 100,000), interviews with workers, academics and
government officials suggest that recruitment agencies are using
similar tactics, regardless of destination, to ensnare workers in a
cycle of false job promises and long-term indebtedness.
¶3. (U) The export of Thai labor is not without benefits - studies
suggest that annual remittances from Thai workers abroad total
almost USD 1 billion per year. However, returned workers, academics
and former and current government officials indicate that Thai
laborers abroad cannot pay off their initial recruitment fees until
at least the second or third year of their employment contracts. In
many cases, workers do not receive the lengthy contracts and terms
they are promised, and return home to indebtedness and/or loss of
collateral for the loans they took out to pay an agent to arrange
for work abroad. (In the case of the U.S., the H2 visa category for
temporary, seasonal work does not allow for multiple year issuances.
U.S. agents apply for extensions of validity for these workers, but
there is no guarantee that they will be issued.) In the worst
cases, workers are shipped abroad again to pay off their recruiting
debt (while incurring a new debt), have their entire salaries
confiscated, or are vulnerable to being trafficked.
----------------------------------------
FORMER MP RECOUNTS EARLIER INVESTIGATION
----------------------------------------
¶4. (SBU) The prevalence of exported Thai labor is not new, but
expanded immediately following the 1997 financial crisis and the
ensuing high unemployment rate. The first high-profile effort to
investigate labor recruitment fraud was led in 2001 by the
then-chair of the House Labor Committee in Thailand's Parliament,
Premsak Piayura. Emboffs met the former MP at his monastic retreat
on the outskirts of Bangkok on March 28. Premsak had been in the
headlines earlier that month for quitting his position in PM
Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, refusing to run in the recent snap
elections of April 2, and choosing to enter temporary religious
service as a monk.
¶5. (SBU) Seated outside his prayer hut in the forested retreat,
Premsak outlined the wide-ranging web of labor recruiting agents,
sub-agents and foreign companies that his labor committee determined
had conspired to charge workers massive up-front recruitment fees
well in excess of legal limits. The system, he said, had been in
place for a number of years, but accelerated after the Asian
financial crisis of 1997 when rural workers were desperate to find
work abroad. Sub-agents, he said, recruited workers at the village
level and referred them to district or provincial agents working for
a recruitment company based in the region or, more likely, operating
out of Bangkok. In some provinces, labor officials allowed
recruiters to set up shop inside provincial government offices. The
maximum recruitment fees charged to workers, Premsak said, varied by
destination country as follows:
Destination Baht (USD)
------------------------------------
United States 1,000,000 (25,000)
Canada 300,000 (7,500)
Taiwan 200,000 (5,000)
Israel 150,000 (3,750)
Malaysia 80,000 (2,000)
¶6. (SBU) The recruitment fees Premsak outlined are well in excess of
the legal limit under Thai law, which allows recruiters to charge no
more than one month per year of the workers' eventual salary as a
recruiting fee, plus fixed expenses for passport, transportation,
medical exam and technical skills test. The total fees are not
supposed to exceed 65,000 baht (56,000 for Taiwan). (For the U.S.,
the U.S. company must pay for transporation and housing.) Premsak
said workers were willing to pay excess fees in the belief that they
could earn wages substantial enough to support their families
through remittances. Workers recognized, however, that they would
spend at least the entire first year of work abroad paying off the
debt they accumulated to pay the initial recruitment fee.
¶7. (SBU) In most cases, workers pay the fee through loans obtained
from banks, illegal loan agents or relatives, and by posting their
house titles or land deeds as collateral. This did not concern
workers anticipating multiple-year labor contracts. Premsak said he
interviewed workers who were promised minimum three-year contracts
to work in the U.S., believing they were renewable for two periods
to comprise a total of nine years' work - clearly illegal under the
U.S. H2A and H2B visa regulations which allow ten-month contracts,
extendable up to 36 months. Workers had been carefully coached to
lie to visa interviewers and Ministry of Labor officials, believing
they shared the recruiters' interest in subverting employment laws.
However, in many cases (including in the U.S.), the workers arrived
in the destination countries to find different employment
conditions, worked in different occupations than those for which
they had been hired (e.g. seafood processing, when they had been
hired as carpenters), or were frequently moved amongst multiple
employment sites. In other cases, workers were never given jobs and
did not leave Thailand, despite having paid the recruitment fee. In
one case, workers who thought they were going to Israel were dumped
off by plane in Hat Yai in the South of Thailand.
¶8. (SBU) Calling his labor investigation the first real corruption
scandal of Thaksin's administration, Premsak said the labor system
flourished under post-1997 economic policies which encouraged the
import of cheap migrant labor from Burma, Laos and Cambodia for hard
physical work in Thailand, allowing Thai workers to seek work abroad
for less strenuous work at higher wages. To adequately regulate
labor export, he suggested that, at minimum, relevant labor laws be
amended to impose much harsher penalties for transgressors and
require a more stringent vetting process for labor migrants, as well
as better complaint handling procedures to properly compensate
cheated workers. As labor committee chair, he said he had proposed
such amendments to the 1975 Employment Law, but that "nobody wants
to touch it, it's a gold mine."
¶9. (SBU) Concerning the labor export systems of other governments,
Premsak said there appeared to be three broad categories of public
versus private management of the process:
-- Regulating it strictly on a Government-to-
Government basis, whereby governments take on the
task of identifying jobs overseas and recruiting
workers.
-- Allowing complete private company management of job
matching and labor recruitment, which runs the risk
of unscrupulous agents flouting the regulations.
-- Having a mixed publicly/privately managed system
which allows private companies to manage labor
export but with stringent government oversight.
¶10. (SBU) Premsak said he favored the third of these options, which
is ideally what should be in place in Thailand, but believed that
the country's recruitment network more closely resembled the second
'laissez faire' category. The government was not eager to implement
a fully government-controlled system (which he said operated in
Vietnam) due to the immense bureaucracy that would be required to
manage the petition process, visa process, transportation and other
requirements.
¶11. (SBU) Premsak, whose term as labor committee chair ended in
2004, said that he had fended off numerous attempts to replace him
by fellow parliamentarians who had business ties to the recruitment
agencies. In one case, a fellow MP directly owned an agency; in
others, the agencies were owned by relatives of MPs. His
committee's investigative efforts in 2001 succeeded in forcing the
firing or transfer of eight senior officials in the Ministry of
Labor, including the then Permanent Secretary and Director General
of Employment. These officials, he said, were tolerating the
recruitment agencies' flouting of labor export regulations, and in
fact had greatly assisted them by setting up "one-stop recruitment
centers" inside government-run provincial labor offices. (One
academic we interviewed confirmed Premsak's account, saying a major
piece of evidence in the firings was the presence of large amounts
of money deposited in officials' bank accounts from labor supply
companies.) Premsak said he doubted that the overall system has
been changed since he stepped down, and expressed disappointment
that the new labor committee has been less vigilant in following up
complaints.
--------------------------
ACADEMIC STUDIES IN ACCORD
--------------------------
¶12. (U) Credible academic studies buttress Premsak's findings. A
2000 study by the Asian Research Center for Migration at
Chulalongkorn University concluded that: "Between 1996-1998, more
than 15,000 workers were cheated by unlicensed employment recruiting
agencies and illegal brokers. This resulted in losses of USD 463
million ... the most common deceitful practice is to charge workers
a fee but never find them a job." Explaining the nature of the
recruitment system, the study continued:
"The current system is totally market driven, with minimal input
from government in regulating private recruitment agencies. Most
job seekers comply with agency demands and are willing to pay high
fees to get jobs. Many agencies are run by, or backed up by,
politicians who use their influence to abuse the system, sometimes
resulting in job seekers being cheated. There is an urgent need for
the Thai government to intervene, otherwise only the recruiting
agencies, and informal money lenders who help to raise the fees for
the workers, will gain any benefit from labour migration ... illegal
agencies in Thailand work with illegal agencies, brokers or
employers in destination countries."
¶13. (U) The Chulalongkorn study found that almost 90 percent of
workers who were sent to Taiwan paid recruitment fees exceeding the
legal limit of 56,000 baht. Many paid 150,000 to 200,000 baht, in
accord with the estimates given by Premsak. The study's
cost/benefit analysis showed that workers who migrated to Taiwan,
Malaysia and Singapore did not break even until a year into their
employment contracts. The study cites the two principal Thai legal
instruments governing migration for employment (The Immigration Law
of 1981 and the Law of Employment Recruitment of 1985) as
insufficient to protect job seekers due to inadequate penalties and
lack of government oversight of labor supply companies.
¶14. (SBU) A leading labor academic involved in this study told
Laboff she believed that up to two-thirds of labor recruiting
agencies in Thailand were owned by politicians or their relatives.
She said most bureaucrats in the Ministry of Labor were honest, but
under extreme pressure from senior-level officials to keep the flow
of laborers moving. Separately, an NGO labor expert said it was
well known that the overseas employment department was the only
place in the Ministry where officials could earn money on the side,
and that many senior officials did so.
¶15. (SBU) Economists at the Thailand Development Research Institute
(TDRI) second Premsak's contention that a major economic "push"
factor encouraging Thais to work abroad is the suppression of wages
by the importation of cheap migrant workers (mostly Burmese) into
Thailand. TDRI researchers told Laboff that Thailand's wage
elasticity for unskilled workers is extremely low, with the minimum
wage of less than USD 5 per day relatively constant during
Thailand's economic recovery from the 1997 crisis. TDRI calculates
that the rate of wage increases for unskilled workers in Thailand is
depressed by 1.14 percent per year for each 500,000 migrant workers
imported. The estimated 2 million migrant workers in Thailand
(mostly Burmese) therefore depress the wage increase rate by 4.56
percent per year.
¶16. (SBU) Economists hasten to add, however, that migrant workers -
as in other countries - provide a much needed service to the Thai
economy by working in physically strenuous industries such as
fishing or construction that Thais now shy from. Unskilled or
low-skilled Thai workers, as a result, are seeking work abroad,
where they can earn salaries ranging from 3-4 times higher in
Taiwan, to 10 times higher in Japan, and even more in the U.S. The
TDRI study echoed the contention heard elsewhere, however, that
workers are unlikely to earn back the money spent on recruitment
fees until the second or third years of their contracts. Those
workers who returned after only one year abroad, the study said,
were no better off than before, and in many cases faced a
debilitating debt burden.
-----------------------------
REAL LIFE CASES REVEAL ABUSES
-----------------------------
¶17. (SBU) On March 26, Laboff and FSN met in Minburi, a suburb of
Bangkok, with a group of seven workers who are part of a larger
group of 300 workers who have filed complaints with the Ministry of
Labor after losing recruitment fees of 100,000 baht each (USD 2,500)
when promised jobs in North Carolina failed to materialize. The
seven workers were recruited in 2004 from a range of rural provinces
and were assessed the preliminary fee to "pay for H2A visa petitions
and applications." The workers were told their contracts would last
three years, renewable to nine years, and that their salaries would
reach 100,000 baht a month. They said their recruiting agency, Siam
Overseas Co., told them in early 2005 that heavy snow in the U.S.
had forced cancellation of their farming jobs, and they were asked
to pay 4,000 additional baht to acquire an H2B visa for work in
shrimp processing. The workers said that they refused to pay this
fee and, asking for a refund of their original fees, the entire
group of 300 filed complaints with the Ministry of Labor and the
Royal Thai Police. One worker who hired a lawyer was able to
recover his 100,000 baht fee, but the other six workers received bad
checks (copies of which were provided). (The Ministry of Labor
advised Laboff on March 28 that the case is still pending.)
¶18. (SBU) In April 3 interviews in Khon Kaen in Northeast Thailand,
a group of 10 workers described becoming indebted to a Thai
husband-wife team that recruited them to work in Taiwan. The
husband, who represented 10 different labor supply companies,
charged labor broker fees of 200,000 baht each while the wife
operated an illegal finance company that loaned workers the money to
pay their recruiting fee, with land deeds used as collateral.
Several of the workers showed pay slips reflecting the usual 15,840
Taiwanese dollars/month in gross pay (USD 490), with deductions for
continued agent fees that left the workers with 11,000 net. Those
net wages were direct deposited into bank accounts set up by the
labor broker and his wife, who held the ATM cards and took further
deductions before remitting the remaining USD 20-50 a month to the
Thai-based relatives of the workers. The workers themselves
returned to Thailand to find themselves in heavy debt due to 4-6
percent interest charged and compounded monthly on their initial
recruitment loans.
¶19. (SBU) According to the parliamentary aide who accompanied
Emboffs to these meetings, the police chief of the labor broker's
home district of Phuu Kiaw, in Khon Kaen province, was transferred
from his position after attempting to investigate the case. Only
the intervention of Premsak, who represented Khon Kaen as an MP, and
a sympathetic public prosecutor have brought the labor broker to
account, and a civil trial is pending on three charges: 1) illegal
labor recruitment; 2) illegal financial schemes; and 3 ) usury.
Lawyers representing the workers said they hope to rescind the
200,000 to 450,000 baht debt burdens of the 10 workers and to regain
their land titles, but they do not expect jail terms for the
perpetrators. The banks involved in creating the workers' deposit
accounts and providing ATM cards to the labor broker are not being
charged.
¶20. (SBU) Also in Khon Kaen, Laboff interviewed two workers recently
returned from Malaysia, where they said they worked in construction
jobs for Hong Zi Construction Co., obtained through paying 80,000
baht fees to a Thai recruiting agency named Sincere International.
(Both workers provided copies of their employment contracts.) The
first worker said he went to Malaysia to help pay off a 140,000 baht
debt he had acquired through working in Taiwan. Once in Malaysia,
he said, he was asked to turn over his passport to his employer and
to sign blank contract documents for the construction firm. He
returned to Thailand in March, 2006, after being refused his first
paycheck. The second worker, at the same firm, said he was also
denied pay, had his passport confiscated, and was only provided food
during a four-month period in which he and fellow workers were
denied access to telephones and worked only intermittently due to
heavy rains. He said he fled the work site in his fifth month and
was subsequently imprisoned by Malaysian immigration authorities
until relatives bailed him out. Lawyers for these two workers said
they were currently working on cases for 70 other workers who were
approached for 1 million baht (USD 25K) to work on drilling sites in
the U.S.
¶21. (SBU) Separately, a visit by Conoff and ICE agent to speak with
a group of returned workers from Nakhon Phanom province confirmed
the 1 million baht fee for workers to work in the U.S. These
workers paid 350,000 baht (USD 9K) up front to local agents in
Thailand to be included in the group and were to pay an additional
650,000 (USD 16K) baht over the next three year's to pay off their
debt. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, the workers were met at the
airport by the U.S. company's agent who took the workers' passports.
After waiting for two weeks, the workers were sent to a farm in
Hawaii, instead of to their authorized job site in Arizona. After
their visa expired several months later, the group was picked up by
DHS/ICE and sent back to Thailand before being able to pay off any
of their loan. Some of this group filed a complaint with the
Ministry of Labor against the Thai agent and got back 300,000 baht
from the Thai agent after agreeing to drop the complaint. Others in
this group did not join the complaint and reportedly paid an
additional 300,000 baht fee to be included in future group going to
the U.S. The Ministry of Labor suspended the Thai agent for a short
period of time, but the suspension was subsequently lifted and this
agent continues to be one of the most active recruiters in Thailand.
------------------------------------------
THAI LABOR OFFICIALS: WE'RE DOING OUR BEST
------------------------------------------
¶22. (SBU) In a meeting with Laboff, the Director of the Overseas
Employment Division of the Ministry of Labor, Supat Gukun, defended
Thai officials' responses to accusations of overseas labor
exploitation. Supat, who had just returned from visits to U.S.
labor recruiters in Los Angeles, said he was unaware of significant
existing problems with U.S. companies, and that it was the USG's
responsibility to vet job petitions properly when they are filed
with the U.S. Department of Labor. Supat expressed concern about
recent H2A visa denials by Bangkok consular officers: "We can't
understand why you'd approve a job petition but then deny an H2A
visa," he added. He showed Laboff copies of sample worker
registration forms with the Ministry, which he said proved workers
were paying labor recruitment fees within the law's limits. Supat
said he had no means to verify whether workers or agents were
truthfully reporting fee payments on the forms, saying the Ministry
could not act where there was no proof of wrongdoing.
¶23. (SBU) Supat said that if workers complained about their
experiences abroad, they could be explained by several factors:
-- Lack of education and inability to understand
contract language or financial terms.
-- Pressure from U.S. unions and Mexican labor groups
opposed to the importation of Thai agricultural
workers.
-- Unrealistic worker expectations about salaries.
-- Worker discomfort with unusually hot weather and
strenuous conditions in the U.S. South.
-- Reliance on informal recruiting agents rather than
registered ones.
¶24. (SBU) Supat said his Ministry went to great lengths to educate
prospective workers about the recruitment process and conditions
they would face abroad, whether in the U.S., Taiwan or elsewhere.
Supat added that foreign labor supply companies brought DVDs to
worker seminars to demonstrate job conditions at various work sites.
He said he had heard of instances where workers in the U.S. were
moved amongst different job sites, but said the workers went along
voluntarily. (Regardless, these moves between jobsites generally
have not been authorized under U.S. law.) In some cases, workers
left their job sites themselves, illegally, having been attracted to
higher paying jobs working in Thai restaurants, he added.
¶25. (SBU) Supat, who had previously been a senior Ministry labor
representative in Taiwan, said that recent problems involving Thai
workers in Taiwan had been resolved. Supat blamed an August 2005
riot of 2,000 Thai workers in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (and a subsequent
work stoppage by 600 workers in March 2006) on a core group of
individuals who had spurred other workers to revolt over lack of
access to television and mobile telephones. He said that the
Ministry was continuing to approve worker petitions for employment
in Taiwan at the same rate as before, and that workers were
responsible for checking with one of 75 labor provincial offices to
obtain the names of registered labor recruitment agencies.
(Comment: Supat made no mention of a Thai parliamentary review in
November 2005 that concluded the rioting Thai workers in Taiwan were
exploited by Thai labor officials as well as Taiwanese employers.
The report said that "not only senior labor officials were involved,
but some politicians as well," but did not disclose names. A Thai
labor official was later removed from his Kaohsiung office under
suspicion of accepting bribes to keep quiet about worker
complaints.)
¶26. (SBU) Supat said workers that have complained about excessive
recruitment fees, or excessive interest on loans to pay for such
fees, were usually going through unregistered companies or informal
networks of unscrupulous individuals. He cited the Ministry's
website (www.doe.go.th) devoted to addressing worker complaints,
which had recorded only a 3 percent dissatisfaction rate among
overseas workers. In most cases, follow-up interviews with workers
revealed no proof of malfeasance by the 268 registered labor supply
companies in Thailand, only 100 of which are considered "active".
¶27. (SBU) Supat said that the Ministry held 5 million baht deposits
from each of the 268 registered labor agencies to serve as reserves
for handling valid compensation claims from workers. He said he
could not recall any recent instance where these deposits were
tapped to provide compensation. Asked to name any punitive measures
at all that the Ministry has taken in response to labor agency
improprieties, Supat said the Ministry had suspended three agencies
within the past year, for periods varying from one to six months,
and had permanently canceled the registration of one company, Siam
Overseas, which had defrauded workers of recruitment fees without
providing jobs (see para 16.) Supat said the Ministry was working
with Siam Overseas to provide compensation to the over 300 workers
affected, but had not yet tapped the company's 5 million baht
deposit with the Ministry. Another of the suspended companies is
ACCO, the largest local recruiter for workers to the U.S., which was
suspended after a group of workers did not get their full salary and
were sent back to Thailand after only several months (see para 30.)
¶28. (U) Visits to Thai officials in provincial labor offices yielded
similar views. The town of Udorn, north of Khon Kaen, is described
by Thai officials as the top province for sending workers abroad,
and the evidence is on the town's streets as soon as you enter.
Signs advertising labor recruitment services are common,
side-by-side with signs advertising loan services to pay recruitment
fees. Offices advertise loans to pay recruiting fees for work in
Taiwan and Qatar, next door to a recruitment company that advertises
for 3,000 workers wanted by South Korean auto parts and glass
factories.
¶29. (SBU) The head of Udorn's provincial employment office said that
Udorn's youth have always sought work abroad as a cultural norm, to
follow friends and family and earn money. The excitement of leaving
a small town to work abroad, or in Bangkok, was a large part of the
allure. Recruitment fees were high, he said, but if all went
according to law, the workers still benefited and wouldn't keep
migrating if it wasn't profitable. The official said that
government regulates recruiting fees closely with licensing
procedures. In cases where excessive fees are charged, there is
often collusion between workers and labor agents, with the workers
actively participating in the subterfuge. The official noted there
were 20 recruitment agencies registered in Udorn, that had sent
2,000 workers during the past month alone to work in destinations
such as Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Qatar, and Japan. (Figures
from Khon Kaen's provincial labor office show similar destinations,
with worker departures abroad rising from 6,014 in 1999 to a peak of
11,688 in 2001 and falling to 8,206 last year.)
¶30. (SBU) The Udorn official said he had only heard of one
Udorn-based firm sending workers to the U.S., and that recruiting
firms had complained about the practices of one U.S.-based labor
supply company that had been asking "very high fees" for the right
to fill farm jobs in the U.S. (Note: Our consular section has
received a letter from the Association of Thai Labor Overseas
stating that this same U.S. company was charging a Thai labor supply
company between 400,000-480,000 baht - USD 10-12K - per job.) The
Udorn official said most Thai companies shied away from
relationships with foreign labor companies selling such services "to
the highest bidder," and referred to the labor recruiting process as
"an oligopoly" controlled by a handful of firms that use their
access to job information as a means of boosting recruiting fees.
"You can solve this problem," he said, "by making job information
available to the general public." "Explain to us," he added, "how
workers can learn of opportunities in the U.S. without having to go
through select middleman companies that know the farms and the
petition process."
--------------------------------------
Labor Exploitation Becomes Trafficking
--------------------------------------
¶31. (SBU) The range of severity of these labor exploitation cases
varies considerably, and many workers clearly believe the recruiting
debt they experience is outweighed by higher salaries that are
offered by multi-year jobs overseas. At the other end of the
spectrum, however, are those cases that qualify as severe forms of
trafficking - particularly cases where passports are confiscated and
access to communications denied. A number of workers in the U.S.
have recently applied for T visas as victims of trafficking - one
egregious case involving an incident in late 2005 where a group of
Thai workers was offloaded in the Hurricane Katrina disaster zone to
find their own work and resorted to catching wild birds to feed
themselves (reftel). Thai parliamentarians are also probing reports
of trafficking into forced prostitution in Taiwan. The House of
Representatives chairperson of the Thai People's Rights Abroad
Subcommittee, MP Kusumalvati Sirikomart, said an October 2005 visit
by her committee to Taiwan found that "many Thai women decide to
work in massage parlors after incurring debt of as much as 400,000
to 500,000 baht," owed to recruiting agents who ostensibly were
placing them in domestic housekeeping jobs. An accompanying MP also
said he had interviewed Thai prostitutes in Taiwan who were
force-fed drugs to keep them awake while servicing ten customers a
day, or up to 1,200 customers for their entire debt period.
¶32. (SBU) Comment: It is difficult to ascertain the scope of a
problem that is kept beneath the surface by many of the actors
involved. It is quite clear, however, that the relative lack of
punitive actions taken against labor recruitment agencies is out of
sync with the number of complaints we have seen about recruiting
abuses, and also reports of trafficking. Some workers in Thailand
are wising up and seeking jobs on their own through self-funded
travel to neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, but
still find it impossible to secure work in the U.S. or other
farther-off places without going through recruiting agents. One
returning worker from Singapore who sat next to our Labor FSN on the
flight to Khon Kaen said "I once paid 140,000 baht for the right to
work in Singapore. Only later did I realize I could have done it
myself for 30,000 baht. We need to figure out how to do this
elsewhere."
BOYCE