In both countries two rural locations and one urban location has been chosen to study the different stages of brokerage. In Ghana these are in the northern region from where girls migrate to the city, Accra-Tema where rural girls stay for some time before migrating internationally and Nkoranza in Brong Ahafo which is well known for migration for construction work to Libya.

In Myanmar the research is being conducted in Mon state which is the main source location for construction workers in Thailand; Kayin state which is an important origin for domestic workers migrating internationally and Yangon from where rural migrant women and girls migrate onward to Thailand, Singapore and other countries in Southeast Asia to work as domestic workers and formally registered recruitment agencies are required by law to based either there or in Mandalay. 

In each of the rural study locations, a small questionnaire survey covering 50 households is being conducted to gather data on migrant profiles, assets and migration costs. 20 of these are interviewed in-depth to probe deeper into decision making, returns and impacts. In the urban locations 30 In-depth interviews are being conducted with aspiring migrants thinking of embarking on international migration through brokers and returnees (reasons for return could vary). Additionally 10 interviews are being conducted with brokers, government institutions, transport agencies or other important agencies involved in the migration industry.

^{Banner photo (night construction) credit: Remko Tanis
Photo, above right (passport) credit: Nyein San
Photo, left (passport office) credit:unknown}