Leave Someone Behind: Migrant Workers in Thailand Under the Situation of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that disrupts the world. The Thai government has approved relief measures to alleviate economic impact as the prime minister announced: “Leave No One Behind”. Principally, the policy should reach out to all groups in society without any discrimination, especially targeting the most vulnerable people. Therefore, all groups can be compensated for the effects of the pandemic equitably. This paper studies migrant workers' policies and laws together with explores migrant workers' lives under the first and second waves of the pandemic. The findings show that migrant workers are normally vulnerable. The reasons include earning low incomes contrary to the financial burden of working abroad, barely having access to fundamental labor rights due to language limitations, and facing discrimination based on legal status, nationality and law enforcement. When the COVID-19 hits, migrant workers are often among the first to be laid off, lack of income, and rarely access the source of funds. Some also face legal status issues once they no longer have an employer, or their work permit expires. Unfortunately, migrant workers seem to be left behind and do not exist in the government relief measures reserved only for Thai nationality. Regarding severance pay, as they face many challenges, it gets more difficult for them to claim their rights. It is essential to mention that discrimination on the basis of nationality in migrant worker policies and laws stemmed from the state's idea of national security and interests, which is considered one of the significant factors making migrant workers vulnerable in normal circumstances and left behind under the pandemic. The paper's final part discusses the limitations and recommendations of practices, policies, and laws to unlock these hindrances to ensure the migrant workers' rights both in normal circumstances and under the crisis.