Burmese labour migration into Thailand: governance of migration and labour rights

Abstract

The vast majority of migrant workers in Thailand are Burmese who have emigrated on account of economic hardship, political instability and the repressive policies of the Burmese Government. Most of the Burmese migrants work illegally in Thailand. Although the Burmese regime has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Thai Government, a lack of will on the part of the Burmese Government to implement the MoUs has left undocumented Burmese migrants worse off than their Laotian and Cambodian counterparts. In addition, the Thai Government's corrupt and discriminatory law enforcement record and its failure to protect labour rights have led to ongoing violence against migrant workers, as well as to their exploitation and trafficking by unscrupulous recruiters. The Thai Government, and Thai society at large, should acknowledge the positive contribution of migrant workers to the Thai economy and improve their working and living conditions. The Burmese Government, too, needs to reform its labour migration policies and institute special programmes to assist Burmese migrants.