In 2007, migrant workers in Thailand totaled 1.8 million, comprising
5% of the Thai labour force. They are mainly from Myanmar,
Cambodia and Lao PDR, and are employed mostly in agriculture
and fisheries, construction, manufacturing, and services such as
domestic workers. They are primarily young workers, in the age
group that typically pays taxes rather than receives tax-supported
services. The report estimates that, in recent years, migrants have
made a net contribution of about US$53 million annually to the Thai
economy. The report proposes changing migration policy to make it
more flexible, with separate registration procedures for different
economic sectors, and placing recruitment and deployment under
Memoranda of Understanding with migrant sending countries. Labour
migration is a process to be managed and not a problem to be solved,
argues the report. By recognizing the contributions of migrant
workers to the economy and following the proposed adjustments to
migration policy, the Thai government could better manage labour
migration while protecting migrants.
The economic contribution of migrant workers to Thailand: towards policy development
This paper highlights the contributions of migrant workers to Thailand and recommends policies to promote economic development and decent work in both receiving and sending countries. The ILO views labour migration as a positive force that can stimulate economic growth and development in both labour-sending and labour– receiving countries, and has developed a framework of principles, guidelines and examples to ensure that labour migration contributes to decent work for all (ILO, 2004, 2006).
Type Book Date issued 2008 Reference 9789221207504 (ISBN) Unit responsible ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Subjects migrant workers Download English - pdf 518 KB Other languages ไทย - [pdf 435 KB]