Addressing COVID-19 Challenges on Migrant Workers in Thailand

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for migrant workers in Thailand, who found themselves facing not only health risks but also economic and social hardships. Recognizing these challenges, the Asian Development Bank contracted a local-based civil society organization, Raks Thai Foundation, to implement a project aimed at addressing the plight of migrant workers in three provinces. It emphasized community-led prevention, the establishment of social protection systems, and economic support for jobless migrant workers.

Transcript

The COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand has posed additional challenges for migrant workers.

To help address these challenges brought by the pandemic, the Asian Development Bank contracted the Raks Thai Foundation in Thailand to implement a project that aims to lessen the effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable migrants.

The project focuses on 10 migrant communities located in the provinces of Samut Sakhon, Chonburi, and Rayong.

These provinces are home to significant migrant populations engaged in different industries, such as fisheries and seafood processing.

Through the project, migrant communities developed their own community prevention plans to reduce the impact of COVID-19. They focused on awareness raising, ensuring access to health services, and addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic on their lives and livelihoods.

The project also provided essential support, including food and water to those unable to work. Survival kits were also distributed to individuals infected with COVID-19, detainees, people in high-risk areas, pregnant women, children, the unemployed, and people with reduced income.

Jobless and unemployed migrants whose livelihoods had been affected by COVID-19 were given life skills and occupational training.

First posted in ADB.org.