Dealing with human trafficking

Abstract

Civil society in Singapore is often understood as insular, actively seeking to minimize foreign influence due to legislative safeguards actively deterring such links. However, with growing recognition of important cross-border social and environmental issues, the pervasive use of online networks, and an appreciation that regional blocs provide greater heft to protecting the common interests of individual states, there are increasing connections among states and civil society across Asia including this city-state. This chapter serves to update the understanding of such connections and specifically, of advocacy on human trafficking among Asian civic actors that resulted in the promulgation of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act in 2014 (PHTA 2014) in Singapore. It provides evidence that transnational collaboration between Singapore activists and their Asian counterparts has been helpful in knowledge-building, strategizing advocacy on public policymaking, and awareness-raising around the problems facing migrant workers and human trafficking. This exchange, however, does still stop short of countenancing direct foreign interference on politics and policy through civil society by the state.