Thailand has taken an unprecedented step by granting permission to refugees living in camps along its border with Myanmar to work, in a bid to tackle shrinking foreign aid budgets and labour shortages. Over 87,000 refugees are reliant on handouts of food and foreign aid, having been driven out of their homes by the military regime in Myanmar over four decades ago.
The decision was hailed as "a turning point" by Tammi Sharpe, representative of the UN refugee agency, which has long advocated for refugees to be integrated into the workforce. Under the new policy, refugees will be allowed to work and support themselves, stimulate local economies, create jobs, and contribute to national GDP growth.
The move comes as Thailand faces its own labour shortages, partly due to an ageing population and the exodus of 520,000 Cambodians following a border dispute. The Thai government has welcomed the initiative, citing the need to address public concerns about refugees being a burden.
However, some refugees are apprehensive about their first-time job and navigating the complexities of Thai society. Akekasit Subannapong, advocacy coordinator for the Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand, noted that camp residents will require support to integrate into Thai society, familiarise themselves with local norms and laws.
Workers who secure jobs will receive identification documents and access to banking services, allowing them to send money back to their families. The UNHCR is working with the World Bank to monitor the initiative's impact and hopes it may set a precedent in the region for sustainable solutions to refugee populations.
The new policy comes as the US has reduced its support for foreign aid, leaving Thailand to bear the burden. While the move may alleviate some pressure, concerns about teething problems and logistical challenges remain. Nevertheless, the UNHCR believes that with close cooperation among authorities, welfare organisations, and refugees, this initiative could be a success, marking a shift from reliance on aid towards self-reliance.
The decision was hailed as "a turning point" by Tammi Sharpe, representative of the UN refugee agency, which has long advocated for refugees to be integrated into the workforce. Under the new policy, refugees will be allowed to work and support themselves, stimulate local economies, create jobs, and contribute to national GDP growth.
The move comes as Thailand faces its own labour shortages, partly due to an ageing population and the exodus of 520,000 Cambodians following a border dispute. The Thai government has welcomed the initiative, citing the need to address public concerns about refugees being a burden.
However, some refugees are apprehensive about their first-time job and navigating the complexities of Thai society. Akekasit Subannapong, advocacy coordinator for the Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand, noted that camp residents will require support to integrate into Thai society, familiarise themselves with local norms and laws.
Workers who secure jobs will receive identification documents and access to banking services, allowing them to send money back to their families. The UNHCR is working with the World Bank to monitor the initiative's impact and hopes it may set a precedent in the region for sustainable solutions to refugee populations.
The new policy comes as the US has reduced its support for foreign aid, leaving Thailand to bear the burden. While the move may alleviate some pressure, concerns about teething problems and logistical challenges remain. Nevertheless, the UNHCR believes that with close cooperation among authorities, welfare organisations, and refugees, this initiative could be a success, marking a shift from reliance on aid towards self-reliance.
Like, I remember back in 2019 when the UK was all about the 'hostile environment' for immigrants, it's crazy how far we've come since then. I mean, refugees being able to work and support themselves? It's like, totally fair and humane, right?
But at the same time, I feel bad for the refugees who are gonna have to deal with navigating a whole new culture and society. They're already going through so much, you know?
Fingers crossed, right?
The Thai government's move to let refugee workers get jobs is like a breath of fresh air 
! I mean, these people have been living in camps for decades, relying on handouts and just existing 
. Now they get the chance to earn money, contribute to society, and build a life 
. It's all about giving them some autonomy and agency 
.
. The country could use all the help it can get, and this is a win-win 
. The UNHCR seems to know what they're doing too 
. Maybe this is the start of something bigger, like reducing reliance on aid and creating sustainable solutions 
. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and these refugees can thrive 
!
I'm kinda surprised Thailand is taking this step but at the same time its kinda cool to see them not just relying on aid 
. 87k people are living in these camps with basically nothing so for them to have a chance at a better life is awesome 
. I guess only time will tell if this is a success or just another short-lived thing 
. One thing's for sure tho, it's about time we started looking at things from a different angle rather than just throwing money at problems 
What if they don't know how to navigate the job market or deal with everyday tasks? 
I think it's essential for organizations like UNHCR and World Bank to be involved in monitoring the initiative's impact to ensure its success. Fingers crossed! 
Plus, I'm worried about their mental health - being uprooted from their homes after decades is traumatic enough; add to that the stress of finding a job and dealing with a new culture? 
Not to mention the potential for exploitation by unscrupulous employers... 
This whole thing feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Can we just ensure these refugees have a safety net in place before they're let loose into the wild? 
. I mean, who wouldn't want that? The UNHCR has been pushing for this kind of initiative for ages, and it's amazing to see it finally happening 
No more handouts, let's get them working 
Thais need jobs too! 
Akekasit says, "Integration is key, don't @ me!" 
It's like, they're not just going to sit around waiting for aid, you know? 
But at the same time, I can see why some people would be apprehensive - navigating a new country and job market can be super tough. 
The fact that Thailand is trying to address its own labour shortages by taking in refugees is pretty smart, though... it's all about creating jobs and stimulating local economies! 
i mean, 87k ppl relyin on aid, that's a lot of people 
gotta feel like thats gonna be a wild ride 
but what about the teething problems? hows it gonna affect the native thais who are already strugglin with labor shortages 
. It feels like we're living in a different era. I mean, have you seen those camps along the border? It's like something straight out of a documentary about the Khmer Rouge. 87,000 people relying on food handouts? That's just heartbreaking 
.
. Like, what if someone gets lost in the job market or something? The UNHCR seems to know their stuff, but I'm sure there'll be some bumps along the way.
. Maybe this is the start of something new? A sustainable solution for refugees, rather than just throwing aid at them like a Band-Aid 
. Fingers crossed it works out! 
.
I'm not buying it. The US reducing its foreign aid support and Thailand taking on more responsibility? Coincidence? 
Yeah right! We've seen how that plays out before. Let's not get our hopes up too high here 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a steady job and contribute to the economy? 
. Of course, its not all sunshine and rainbows – gotta acknowledge that some of these refugees might be struggling to adapt to Thai society 
. But hey, with the right support and guidance, I think they can make it work 