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Advocates for Migrants' Rights in Thailand Call for Better Health Care

Labour advocates have called on the Thai government to improve alien labourers’ access to medical treatment following a recent report on rising health problems and infection rates among migrant workers.

Surapong Kongchantuek, member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand sub-panel, said the government should review its healthcare policy for alien workers as they too pay 1,300 baht each in health insurance fees upon registration. However, these workers receive poor healthcare services from concerned agencies, which spend only a total of 300 million baht annually for their medical care.

His comment was consistent with a recent report showing that health problems were on the rise among alien workers as they had limited access to medical care. The report was drawn up by the Global Alliance Against Traffick in Women (GAATW). The Study was based on interviews with 956 female migrant labourers working as housemaids, sex and factory workers in Samut Prakarn, Tak, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Chiraporn sae Tang, a GAATW representative, said these workers were encountering many kinds of illnesses including ulcers, asthma and sexually transmitted infections. They are also suffering from chronic stress problems caused by various forms of pressure from their employers. Seven of the 10 surveyed Cambodian maids had attempted suicide, said Ms Chiraporn.

Top illnesses among the female workers included abnormal menstrual periods due to improper use of birth control medication, ulcers and cystitis, as labourers are forced to work long hours without breaks.

In addition, 66% of the surveyed migrant housemaids were subject to abuse at the hands of their employers, both physical and mental, and given no access to healthcare information. The language barrier made it even more difficult for them to receive the necessary information or their right to medical care, she said.

Adapted from: "Migrant workers ‘should have better access to medical care."  Bangkok Post. 30 October 2006.