The Assessment of Community Perceptions and Information Needs of Persons at risk of Irregular Migration in Bali Process Member States: Evidence from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand provides insights into drivers of irregular migration and how (irregular) migration is perceived by persons in situations of vulnerability who are at risk of pursuing irregular pathways, and by their communities.  

Specifically, the assessment looks at the Bangladesh-Malaysia migrant and refugee smuggling route; Indonesia as an origin country of migrant workers to Malaysia; Malaysia as a country of destination for migrants originating particularly from Bangladesh and Indonesia; and Thailand as a country of destination for migrant workers originating from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.  

While the findings of this assessment primarily target the aforementioned countries, the general recommendations can also be applied in other countries. 

Migration within and towards Southeast Asia is a dynamic and enduring phenomenon shaped by historical mixed migration patterns, and driven by socio-cultural ties, economics, and geopolitical factors.  

Significant events such as the large-scale displacement during the 1960s-70s Viet Nam War, persistent systemic persecution of Rohingya, and the enduring conflicts and political upheaval in Myanmar have further accentuated the complexity of mixed migration in the region. While some migration occurs through regular channels, factors like porous borders and inaccessibility to regular pathways have contributed to the prevalence of irregular migration to/from and within the region.

The often-covert nature of irregular migration makes accurate and timely estimation of its scale challenging. Bangladesh, one of world’s largest migrant sending countries, accounting for 7.4 million migrants living abroad as of 2023 and host to 1,005,520 Rohingya refugees as of December 2024, faces economic pressures and protracted displacement that drive many individuals towards irregular migration.  

The route from Bangladesh to Malaysia, particularly via boat across the Bay of Bengal, is a prominent irregular migration pathway. Similarly, Indonesia is a major migrant-sending country, especially of migrant workers, with 4.6 million migrants globally as of 2020.   

Malaysia and Thailand, known for their relative economic and political stability, comparatively well-developed economies and established diaspora communities, are key destination countries in Southeast Asia. Economic opportunities, especially in low-skilled sectors, attract migrants from neighbouring countries across porous borders, making both countries host to large populations of migrants in irregular situations.  

Despite their contributions to the labour force, migrants in irregular situations face precarious conditions, including the constant threat of arrests, detention, and deportation due to their irregular status, as well as lack of access to education, healthcare, and sustainable housing. Additionally, those taking irregular pathways often encounter various protection risks including extortion, sexual and physical abuse, and trafficking during their journeys. 

The assessment explores information needs of such individuals at risk of irregular migration and gaps in existing information programmes, and makes policy recommendations to address existing information needs. 

Inputs gathered from the respondents, who hailed originally from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Myanmar, show that migration decisions are driven by an interplay of economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental factors creating personal, situational, and contextual vulnerabilities. 

In 2024 alone, an estimated 650 migrants and refugees went missing or lost their lives during dangerous migration journeys in Asia, and this continues to be a challenge that Bali Process Member States must contend with year on year. The starting point for an effective response to the issue of irregular migration is understanding an individual’s decision-making process and targeting interventions to shift attitudes and change behaviours. 

Devmi Dampella, Programme Manager for Irregular Migration and Regional Priorities at the RSO reflected: “Particularly for South and Southeast Asian regions, migration has long been a solution to vulnerabilities created by economic pressures, conflict and insecurity, deprivation of rights and freedoms, lack of reliable information, environmental factors, and gender. However, the use of irregular means and pathways for migration is a persisting issue in the region, which exacerbates existing vulnerabilities.” 

The report identifies that 85 percent of survey respondents who are currently in irregular situations have not considered regular migration pathways, whereas for the remaining 15 percent who did consider regular migration pathways, significant barriers prevented them from pursuing these options.  

Key obstacles included a lack of legal documentation (49%) and unaffordable costs (36%). Additionally, public offices related to migration matters are often concentrated in urban areas, making them inaccessible to those from rural regions.  

Some migrants turn to irregular routes because regular migration pathways are often inflexible, tying them to specific employers or destinations, which may not align with individual needs or aspirations. These structural barriers, coupled with the economic, political, and social pressures many migrants face, push them towards irregular migration routes.  

Perceptions of irregular migration varied significantly across different respondent groups, reflecting the unique experiences and circumstances encountered. Some 65 percent of Rohingya perceive irregular migration as negative or very negative, out of which 91 percent reporting encountering protection incidents, compared to 18 percent of other Myanmar ethnic groups sharing negative or very negative perceptions of irregular migration, and 47 percent out of which reporting encountering protection incidents.  

In comparison, 81 percent of respondents from Cambodia and 71 percent of respondents from Lao People’s Democratic Republic held positive or neutral views on irregular migration, likely due to the lower costs associated with irregular migration pathways, the relative ease of crossing porous borders, and the economic opportunities available in neighbouring Thailand.  

Perceptions of irregular migration correlate with individuals’ reflections on whether they would have chosen the same path in hindsight. Those with neutral or positive views of irregular migration were more likely to reaffirm their decision to migrate irregularly. These decisions are complemented by the perceptions of origin and host communities. for example, optimism around irregular migration is bolstered by societal expectations, where financial remittances from abroad are viewed as pathways to social respect and communal support. 

Against this background, the report makes policy recommendations for States, civil society, private sector, and development partners to deter individuals from pursuing irregular migration journeys, with a specific focus on information programmes targeting behaviour changes of persons who are in situations of vulnerability and are likely to pursue irregular migration journeys.  

Recommendations include adopting localised and decentralised approaches to information sharing, strengthening regulation of recruitment agencies, coupling information programs with alterative pathways, raising awareness against misinformation and disinformation, strengthening community level engagement, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation. 

Fiona Robertson, Regional Manager for Asia and the Pacific at the Mixed Migration Centre added that: “Our findings show that people undertake irregular migration for a multitude of reasons, including being driven by violence, deprivation of human rights, as well as economic insecurity. Effective information campaigns can play an important role in supporting prospective migrants to make informed decisions about their journeys. Overall, these initiatives need to be coupled with evidence-based policies that offer alternatives to irregular migration, in order to reduce the risks faced by persons at risk of irregular migration.” 

Download the full report here.  

For more information, please contact info@rso.baliprocess.net.