Rights

Rights • Oct 05, 2021 • 6 min read
Workers' rights

Bus driver turned activist empowers Singapore workers

Chua Qwong Meng brushes off his importance. But a lawsuit with fellow drivers and volunteer efforts for others have made him a champion in the struggle for Singapore workers’ rights
By Weilee Yap • Oct 05, 2021

Rights • Sep 09, 2021 • 11 min read
Workers' rights

Singapore’s home cleaning scheme offers better life for maids

Demand for part-time home cleaning is up in Singapore amid Covid-triggered shortages of full-time household help. A newly-formalised scheme gives the country’s migrant cleaners better working conditions, but experts say the impact so far is limited
By Rachel Genevieve Chia • Sep 09, 2021

Rights • Sep 06, 2021 • 9 min read
LGBTQ+ rights

Malaysia’s transgender community trapped by toxic religious ideals

Being transgender can be cured: that's the widespread narrative fed to Malaysians. Backed by the state and private religious institutions, blocking the legal right of individuals to choose their own gender continues to hinder the rights of the transgender community
By Ashley Yeong • Sep 06, 2021

Rights • Aug 17, 2021 • 10 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar’s garment workers squeezed between boycotts, brands and junta

As large fashion brands begin placing garment orders once again in Myanmar, the sector's largely female workforce must balance diminished worker’s rights, threats to physical safety and post-coup political considerations with the need for a paycheque
By Kiana Duncan • Aug 17, 2021

Rights • Aug 13, 2021 • 10 min read
Covid-19

Cambodian migrant workers struggle to survive in locked-down Thailand

As Thailand undergoes its worst Covid-19 outbreak yet, much of the country has been placed under strict lockdown. For low-wage Cambodian migrant workers in the kingdom, this has meant a lack of food, wages and healthcare, while returning home is no easy feat
By Samphors Sao and Wanpen Pajai • Aug 13, 2021

Rights • Jul 30, 2021 • 8 min read
Editorial

Modern day slavery is alive and well in Southeast Asia

It is estimated that there are more slaves today than at any time in human history, with the fisheries, brothels and construction sites of Southeast Asia home to some of the worst abuses. On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Mekong Club CEO Matt Friedman highlights the fight to end the practice
By Matt Friedman • Jul 30, 2021

Rights • Jul 29, 2021 • 8 min read
Opinion

Amid the pandemic, barriers to sexual health services for Cambodian women rise

As Cambodia reimposes lockdown in several provinces to contain the spread of Covid-19, women across the Kingdom once again face interruptions to vital sexual health services. This is what occurred during April’s lockdown, with MSI Reproductive Choices witnessing the dire effects
By Ella Nwaokolo • Jul 29, 2021