Thailand Approves Measures Allowing Myanmar Refugees to Work Legally

The Thai government has taken a crucial step by approving measures that will allow approximately 80,000 registered Myanmar refugees to work legally outside of the nine border camps where they have been living since the 1980s. About 108,000 refugees live in these camps, with nearly half being born there. The new work permits will be valid for up to one year and will require refugees to apply for permission to leave the camps and for work permits. This decision comes as a result of desperation in the camps, which soared this year following drastic US government aid cuts to core food and healthcare services.

Key Takeaways:

• Approximately 108,000 refugees live in the nine border camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border.
• Nearly half of the refugees, about 51,000, were born in the camps.
• The new work permits will be available to about 80,000 refugees, with an estimated 42,000 being working age.
• Refugees will need to apply for permission to leave the camps and for work permits, which will be valid for up to one year.
• The Thai government has a history of restricting refugees' ability to work, move freely, or access public services, rendering them dependent on foreign aid.
• Desperation in the camps reached a peak this year after the US government cut aid to core food and healthcare services, resulting in monthly rations being slashed to $0.
• The Thai government has a critical opportunity to implement the work policy in a way that is transparent, accessible, and prompt, with protections in place to avoid exploitation or extortion by brokers.
• If implemented properly, the work policy can build refugees' self-reliance and independence, boost local economies, and serve as a model for refugee populations elsewhere in Thailand and in the region.

Statistics:

• 108,000: The approximate number of registered refugees living in the nine border camps.
• 51,000: The estimated number of refugees born in the camps.
• 80,000: The number of refugees who will be eligible for work permits under the new policy.
• 42,000: The estimated number of working-age refugees who will be eligible for work permits.
• 100,000: The number of Cambodian migrant workers who have left Thailand following recent border clashes.

Sources:

• Human Rights Watch (no date provided) [Publication date not available]