Thailand’s agriculture sector has long relied on the labour of migrant workers from neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. This reliance has increased in recent years as Thailand’s rural population has moved away to work in urban areas. Despite growing numbers of migrants travelling to work in Thailand’s agricultural sector, existing research on this group of migrants remains limited, in part owing to difficulties in gaining access to migrant agricultural workers in geographically remote locations. The lack of public discourse on migrant agricultural workers has led to an insufficient understanding of the issues and violations common to the sector.

On 30 January 2020 at 11 AM, the Mekong Migration Network (MMN) will launch the report Migrant Agricultural Workers in Thailand at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand. The report presents the findings of a three-year research project conducted by MMN, supported by Solidar Suisse on labour and migration issues in Thailand’s agricultural sector. Based on empirical research conducted on cassava, corn, rubber and palm oil plantations in different parts of Thailand, this study provides a textured account of migrants’ working experiences and proposes recommendations to improve the rights and protections afforded this group of workers.

The speakers are as follows:
Ms. Phattana Phanfak, Ministry of Labour
Ms. Reiko Harima, Mekong Migration Network
Mr. Brahm Press, MAP Foundation
Mr. Sutthisak Rungrueangphasuk, MAP Foundation
Ms. Wai Phyo, Foundation for Education & Development
Migrant Agricultural Worker Representatives  

Moderated by Ms. Pranom Somwong