UK to fund Information Campaign on Migration Issues

The British Embassy on March 19, 2010 in Hanoi signed a contract to provide £100,000 (VND 2.9bn) to the Immigration Department to run a nation-wide information campaign to raise awareness in the Vietnamese people of the risks and dangers of illegal migration and human trafficking.

 

The contract was signed by the British Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Mark Kent, and the Director General of the Immigration Department, Col Vu Thanh Binh.

 

In implementing this project, the Immigration Department will work closely with relevant agencies of Vietnam, the British Embassy and local and international experts, to run an intensive information campaign throughout Vietnam. The campaign will have three main elements: production of a documentary on migration issues; distribution of a leaflet to people at risk; and distribution of a handbook to Vietnamese officials working on migration, labour, tourism issues. The project is designed to raise the Vietnamese People’s awareness of human trafficking and people smuggling. 

 

The British Ambassador said, “Migration remains high on the agenda of the UK Government and is a priority activity of the UK in Vietnam. While providing favourable conditions for legitimate travellers to the UK, we are also working tirelessly to prevent people from abusing our immigration rules by smuggling and/or trafficking people. We will not tolerate the abuse and exploitation of people, including Vietnamese, especially through forcing them to work in cannabis factories. The Governments of the UK and Vietnam continue to work effectively together to tackle such abuse. This project is part of that effort. By providing a better understanding of the risks, dangers and inevitable consequences of illegal migration in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, people will be better able to protect themselves.   We want to convey these important messages to the people of Vietnam. This information campaign will help us to do that”.