Critical times: gendered implications of the economic crisis for migrant workers from Burma/Myanmar in Thailand

Abstract

This article draws on the grassroots experiences and research of MAP Foundation to examine the gendered impacts of the economic downturn on migrants from Burma/Myanmar1 who are working in Thailand. The article looks through a gender lens at the wages, working conditions, family relations and safety and security issues. It finds that migrant women have experienced decreases in wages, lay-offs, increased restrictions on reproductive rights and increased risks of harassment and extortion as a result of the economic downturn. It also finds that the usually resilient Burmese migrant communities are being stretched beyond their limits, and need urgent protection.

Keywords:

• migrants
• Burma
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• gender
• economic downturn
• labour

Acknowledgements

MAP Foundation continues to work closely with the migrant communities and to document current situations. Our Women Exchange Program, supported by the Nobel Women's Initiative, is conducting workshops and focus group discussions with migrant and refugee women along the Thai–Burma border to develop a report on Discrimination Against Migrant Women. Soe Lin Aung, with institutional support from MAP Foundation, was awarded a grant from the Global Consortium on Security Transformation to develop a paper on ‘Situating (In)Security: Transforming Security Paradigms Vis-à-vis Migrant Communities on the Thai–Burma Border’.

Notes

1. In June 1989, the ruling military regime changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar. The UK, the USA and democracy activists continue to use the name Burma.

2. From the outcome document (p. 1) of the UN conference on the world financial and economic crisis and its impact on development, i.e. the UNGA Resolution adopted on 13 July 2009, numbered 63/303, www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/63/303&Lang=E (last accessed 6 April 2010)

3. The term ‘irregular or undocumented migrants’ refers to people who migrate in search of employment in violation of laws and regulation governing migration. A much less acceptable term is ‘illegal migrants’, unacceptable because it suggests the migrant is illegal rather than that their actions are illegal.

4. Figures published by the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, reproduced on the MAP Foundation website, www.mapfoundationcm.org

5. The Ayeyawady–Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) is a co-operation framework amongst Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to utilise member countries' diverse strengths and to promote development in the sub-region. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand initiated the establishment of this co-operation framework in April 2003

6. Ministry of Labour analysis suggests that there were 300,000 children aged 15–17 years legally employed in registered establishments in 2005 (60 per cent male and 40 per cent female) (ILO 2008; Seangpassa 2009).

7. These workers later contacted MAP Foundation from Jordan when they were being threatened with deportation after arguments erupted between Burmese and Bangladeshi migrant workers. See also Pi Pi (2010).

8. Discussions in recent Women Exchange meetings. Also noted in Belton and Maung (2004)

9. Evidence from eye-witness accounts by MAP Foundation volunteers and a report in The Nation ( 2009 ).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jackie Pollock

Jackie Pollock is Executive Director of MAP Foundation (Migrant Assistance Programme), Thailand

Soe Lin Aung

Soe Lin Aung is a Research Officer at MAP Foundation