‘Human Rights for All’: Spotlight on Young Migrants in Thailand

This article was contributed by UNESCO Bangkok’s Social and Human Sciences (SHS) and spotlights research conducted with the aim to challenge exclusion and promote this central tenet of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For those in neighbouring countries with limited education and employment prospects, the pull of Bangkok can be strong – the big city excitement, the opportunity to save money and build a base for their families’ futures.

The reality is often far more challenging for the 3.5 million persons without Thai nationality who were estimated to be living in the country in 2011, particularly the approximately 1 million of them who are unregistered and thus easy prey to human rights abuses.

Ms Natalia Pereira, PhD candidate with the UNESCO Chair on Comparative Research on Cultural Diversity and Social Justice, Deakin University, Melbourne recently completed research that aims to tell their stories and put a spotlight on the rights violations that too often plague young migrant labourers.

The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) estimates that globally there are 232 million people living outside their country of origin; according to ESCAP, about one in four of them live in Asia-Pacific. Migrants contribute valuable labour to their adopted countries but many also face human rights violations, discrimination and exploitation.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that Thailand is a particularly attractive destination for migrants from across South-East Asia, as demand remains strong for low-skilled and semi-skilled workers in the fishing industry, construction and manufacturing sectors.

‘DIRTY, DEGRADING, DANGEROUS JOBS’

Ms Pereira interviewed 31 young people (18-29 years) who had migrated to Bangkok, mostly on their own from rural areas in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam, largely from minority communities. The interviewees were living in Thailand with irregular employment status – a term that broadly refers to those working in the country without a valid visa at the time of employment.

Ms Pereira found that their irregular status makes these young people vulnerable in the areas of protection, access to education and health, and exploitation through dirty, degrading and dangerous jobs. The risks from workplace related injuries, illness and childbirth are very real – registering at a hospital means being identified and detained as an irregular migrant, a chance many would be unwilling to take.

Their employment situation is similarly fraught. Most work in factories, fisheries or as domestic workers and when a situation arises – pay docked for accommodation and food or demands made to undertake dangerous work – they change employers rather than risk being exposed. They must rely on employers and brokers to represent them when they deal with the authorities. It’s a system that locks them into a cycle of discrimination and exploitation.

The young women interviewed reported feeling vulnerable and exposed to situations that they would not be in their home communities, such as travelling and living with strange men. Entering into early marriage is one way to ensure increased protection and security.

MOVING MIGRANT RIGHTS FORWARD

The OHCHR encourages governments to provide supportive environments so that all migrants can enjoy access full to their human rights, and Thailand has made some in-roads in this area at the policy level, such as providing access to education for all. Continuing discrimination against migrants, however, means that policy does not always translate into practice.

Migrants themselves are far from passive when it comes to the challenges facing them. As Thailand remains an attractive destination, many are using social media to form support networks comprising people from their home countries, sharing information on where to live, good and bad employers, etc. Some migrants are even building their own schools, libraries and places of workshop.

Despite the challenges they face, many of the young people Ms Pereira interviewed remain positive about their futures in Thailand and the opportunities available in the country.

“These young people have lived through events that it are difficult to imagine but they are incredibly resilient,” she said. “Despite their vulnerabilities they are resourceful, have amazingly supportive networks and are strongly loyal to their friends and colleagues. I think they are incredible!”

For further information, please contact Natalia Pereira n.pereira@deakin.edu.au or Sue Vize s.vize@unesco.org