Spatial Panel Data Analysis on the Relationship between Provincial Economic Status and Enrolment in the Social Security Scheme amongst Migrant Workers in Thailand, 2015–2018

Shaheda Viriyathorn,Mathudara Phaiyarom,Rapeepong Suphanchaimat,Putthipanya Rueangsom

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010181

Abstract

Background: Thailand has a large flow of migrants from neighbouring countries; however, the relationship between economic status at the provincial level and the insured status of migrants is still vague. This study aimed to examine the association between provincial economy and the coverage of the Social Security Scheme (SSS) for migrants. Methods: Time-series data were analysed. The units of analysis were 77 provinces during 2015–2018. Data were obtained from the Social Security Office (SSO). Spatiotemporal regression (Spatial Durbin model (SDM)) was applied. Results: Migrant workers were mostly concentrated in Greater Bangkok, the capital city and areas surrounding it, but SSS coverage was less than 50%. However, the ratio of insured migrants to all migrants seemed to have positive relationship with the provincial economy in SDM. The ratio of insured migrants to all migrants was enlarged in all regions outside Greater Bangkok with statistical significance. Conclusions: Low enforcement on employment law in some areas, particularly Greater Bangkok, can result in lesser SSS coverage. The provincial economic prosperity did not guarantee large SSS coverage. Interventions to ensure strict insurance enrolment are required.

Highlights

Received: 5 November 2021Migration is a global phenomenon due to several factors such as economic opportunities, convenience of transportation, political and religious conflicts, and even human trafficking [1,2]
Greater Bangkok had the largest number of migrant workers, growing from 656,725 in 2015 to 1,248,091 workers in 2018
BKK, the northeastern region had the highest annual growth rate, which accounted for 40%, while the negative growth rate was found in the northern region (−1%)

Summary

Introduction

Received: 5 November 2021Migration is a global phenomenon due to several factors such as economic opportunities, convenience of transportation, political and religious conflicts, and even human trafficking [1,2]. In 2019 there were an estimated 272 million international migrants worldwide [3]. Migrant health is recognized as a global public health priority due to a concern of the spread of infectious diseases [4] and concern over the lack of resources in the destination countries to address the high influx of migrants. Among many countries in the region, Thailand plays an important role in international migration and is the destination of a large flow of migrants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam, called CLMV nations [6]. Thailand’s Migration Report 2019 estimated that 4.9 million non-Thais reside in the country [7]. Most of them were low-skilled migrant workers from Cambodia (19.4% of total registered migrants), Lao PDR (9.1%), Myanmar (62.3%), and Vietnam (0.006%) [8]

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