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2014 | Book

Introduction Read chapter Read first chapter

Temporary Shelters and Surrounding Communities

Livelihood Opportunities, the Labour Market, Social Welfare and Social Security

Editors: Yongyuth Chalamwong, Naruemon Thabchumpon, Supang Chantavanich

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : SpringerBriefs in Environment, Security, Development and Peace

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This book is one of four volumes on a major empirical migration study by leading Thai migration specialists from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok) for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).This volume reviews the livelihood opportunities for displaced persons in temporary shelters and in the surrounding communities. It explores labor-market conditions and provides recommendations for improving opportunities. The editors discuss the current policies of the Royal Thai Government towards displaced persons on restrictions for settlement that impede access to welfare, justice, education and health care. Service provision for displaced persons are identified here, as well as access to justice and other key services, including Thai services outside the settlements, and the potential for conflict with the local Thai population over resource allocation. Summarizing the results of a highly important research project this volume provides realistic policy recommendations for a durable solution for refugees at the borders. Policymakers from governments, international organizations and NGOs will benefit from its findings and conclusions.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Livelihood Opportunities and the Labour Market in the Temporary Shelters and Surrounding Communities

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
A brief history of the protracted Burmese refugee situation is given, outlining its origins in the recent political history of Myanmar, including its ethnic diversity and the conflicts and tensions arising from it. The current status of the Burmese refugees, or displaced persons, as defined within the formal policy of the RTG, in the border settlements inside Thailand is examined, including the current policies and stance of the RTG. A brief explanation of the current labour market for refugees is given, before listing the research objectives. These include exploring in more detail the current practice of displaced persons in employment, including working inside and outside the settlements, the barriers to employment, the potential for improvements in the labour market, demand from Thai employers and the level of income displaced persons can expect. The study also aims to recommend changes for various factors that could improve the labour situation for displaced persons.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien
Chapter 2. Research Methodology and Profile of the Shelters
Abstract
The framework and scope of the research is outlined, together with research methods and limitations. Livelihood opportunities are identified, and comparisons drawn between those inside and outside the settlements, comparing income and cashflow. Both supply and demand are examined for the labour market. A variety of research methods are used, including in-depth and key informant interviews, focus groups and questionnaires, as well as the initial desk research. Limitations included the current formal status of the displaced persons, which limits their opportunities; and the overall scope of the interviews. The three settlements studied are outlined in terms of demographics and other key population characteristics.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien
Chapter 3. Literature Review
Abstract
A variety of sources are examined, including academic studies, reports from agencies such as the UN, NGOs working directly with displaced persons and reports and information from the government, including legislation and policy relating to the employment status and activity of the displaced people. Existing information on demand and supply for the labour of displaced people is considered, together with sources of information on income levels. Various projects, run by NGOs and other groups, are also examined to assess how these have met their aim of providing employment and income generating opportunities, either directly or through training and skills development.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien
Chapter 4. Thai Labour Market
Abstract
The demand and supply of the Thai labour market is examined, noting the contribution made by local Thai workers and by migrant workers, and assessing the potential opportunities for labour provided by displaced persons. The increased educational level of Thai people, and an accompanying aspiration to move beyond manual labour such as agricultural work, is noted. The restrictions imposed by the RTG’s policy of restricting officially all displaced persons to the settlements is seen as the main barrier to greater involvement of the displaced persons in employment outside the camps, even where Thai employers identify that there is a shortage of labour.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien
Chapter 5. Survey Findings
Abstract
Current livelihoods, levels of income, opportunities within the current policy framework for future employment and the functioning of various pilot projects are explored through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires in the three provinces that form the study area. Sources of income for the displaced persons are examined, including remittances and stipends as well as wages from employment and income generation from running small businesses. Pilot projects, such as providing training in weaving, do not contribute significantly to income generation, and most families have an income that is too low for a reasonable standard of living, primarily because of the cost of childcare.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien
Chapter 6. Conclusion and Recommendations
Abstract
Employment opportunities for displaced persons remain severely restricted within the Thai labour market, primarily due to the formal policy of the RTG in confining displaced people to the settlements. Even if the policy was relaxed, the demand for unskilled labour is limited in the foreseeable future, and is largely filled by migrant labour. The best options for economic progress for displaced persons remain return to Myanmar, or relocation to a third country. Within the settlements, there is potential for greater self-sufficiency, such as the growing of food and the provision of health care, which will reduce dependency on humanitarian aid and provide meaningful activity and better quality of life for many of the displaced people until a more permanent solution can be found. Small business development and other activities that take place within the settlements and service of other displaced persons could be further encouraged with skills development and some capital provision.
Yongyuth Chalamwong, Sasithorn Archapiraj, Songwut Promjene, Panisara Meepien

Social Welfare and Social Security

Frontmatter
Chapter 7. Introduction
Abstract
The current policy of the Royal Thai Government (RTG) towards the displaced persons is restated, with the central issue of restriction to the settlements. This creates a challenge in terms of access to welfare and to legal and social services such as justice, education and health care. The research aims to identify what service provision there is for displaced persons, the practicalities of gaining access to justice and other key services, the challenges of maintaining services, whether there it is feasible to offer access to Thai services outside the settlements, and the potential for conflict over resource allocation with the local Thai population. The research triangulates a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques. Several limitations are noted, including the required presence of Ministry of the Interior (MOI) officials at interviews and focus groups, and the ongoing legal process involving some displaced people.
Naruemon Thabchumpon, Bea Moraras, Jiraporn Laocharoenwong, Wannaprapa Karom
Chapter 8. Conceptual Framework
Abstract
The Human Security framework is briefly explained as the basis for assessment of the situation for displaced persons, with indicators in the areas of food, health, education, political, personal, environmental and community security acting as the key areas of assessment. For education, the 4As framework is used, assessing availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability.
Naruemon Thabchumpon, Bea Moraras, Jiraporn Laocharoenwon, Wannaprapa Karom
Chapter 9. Current Situation of Social Welfare and Social Security
Abstract
A comprehensive overview is provided of the current situation of social welfare and social security in the selected temporary shelters of Tham Hin, Mae La and Ban Mai Nai Soi. Use is made of documentary and field data, and key indicators under the Human Security framework and the rights-based approach are used in analysis of security food, shelter, health care, safety and legal protection. For education, the relevant indicators of the Right to Education framework of the 4As are applied and analysed. Each topic is discussed in-depth, followed by an assessment of the social tension between displaced persons and local Thai communities. An analysis of the consequences of maintaining the current situation is presented.
Naruemon Thabchumpon, Bea Moraras, Jiraporn Laocharoenwon, Wannaprapa Karom
Chapter 10. Potential Access to Thai Services
Abstract
As the current situation of social service provision in the temporary shelters is not sustainable, considerable attention needs to be placed on alternatives to the current situation, such as access to local Thai services for displaced persons. How and to what extent displaced persons living in the temporary shelters can access education, health care and legal justice services in local Thai communities is discussed. Specific attention is paid to current and future RTG collaboration on these services. The potential implications of displaced persons’ access to local Thai education, health and legal justice services are evaluated.
Naruemon Thabchumpon, Bea Moraras, Jiraporn Laocharoenwon, Wannaprapa Karom
Chapter 11. Conclusion and Recommendations
Abstract
The current level of provision of welfare services to the displaced persons in the settlements is neither adequate nor sustainable. All aspects of security are under threat, from food to personal safety. Dependency on food rations provided by international agencies is acute, and educational levels are inadequate. Access to justice is limited and problematic, especially for women and children, with sexual gender-based violence at high levels. Given the high number of displaced persons, and until permanent and lasting solutions can be found, adequate provision of welfare services cannot realistically be allocated to the TRG alone; it will need to be shared by a variety of international actors, including UN agencies.
Naruemon Thabchumpon, Bea Moraras, Jiraporn Laocharoenwon, Wannaprapa Karom
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Temporary Shelters and Surrounding Communities
Editors
Yongyuth Chalamwong
Naruemon Thabchumpon
Supang Chantavanich
Copyright Year
2014
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-02789-0
Print ISBN
978-3-319-02788-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02789-0