The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone: Adoption of the Shenzhen Model and Enhancement of Worker Rights and Protections

Abstract

This research examines how the Shenzhen Model of economic development fosters an environment conducive to human trafficking and worker exploitation in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ), with the purpose of analyzing this causal relationship, assessing the adequacy of Cambodian legal frameworks, and proposing policy solutions. The scope encompasses both traditional industries and the emergent illicit economy of large-scale online scam operations, which constitute a severe form of trafficking for forced criminality. Methodologically, this qualitative case study utilizes semi-structured interviews with key informants from international organizations, NGOs, labor unions, and a diplomatic mission, supplemented by extensive document analysis. Its findings indicate that the model’s adoption has systematically led to systemic labor abuses and enabled transnational criminal networks to traffic individuals for forced criminality, revealing inadequate and poorly enforced Cambodian laws with critical gaps in victim protection and cross-border cooperation. Consequently, the study recommends a multi-pronged strategy including legal reform to close loopholes, awareness campaigns, disrupting criminal infrastructure, and fostering stronger regional cooperation within ASEAN.