Key facts
- Thailand has eased employment curbs for over 5,500 Myanmar refugees since last year.
- The policy change allows approximately 80,000 refugees from Myanmar to work legally.
- The initiative aims to foster self-reliance and economic contribution among refugees.
- Refugee workers receive legal protections, healthcare coverage, and at least minimum wage.
- Refugees are issued special identity cards to open bank accounts and obtain SIM cards.
- UNHCR believes this approach could serve as a model for other Southeast Asian countries.
Thailand has successfully integrated over 5,500 Myanmar refugees into its formal economy since easing employment restrictions last year, a move that a senior United Nations refugee official suggests could serve as a blueprint for other nations in Southeast Asia. The policy change, which allows approximately 80,000 refugees to work legally, is a significant step for a population that has long depended on humanitarian aid.
Raouf Mazou, UNHCR assistant high commissioner for operations, told Reuters that Thailand's initiative offers valuable lessons for countries like Bangladesh and Malaysia, which also host large refugee populations. The program ensures that refugee workers receive legal protections, healthcare, and at least the minimum wage. Special identity cards are being issued to facilitate access to banking and mobile services, crucial for integration into Thailand's formal economy.
The initiative comes amid a sharp decline in global humanitarian funding, partly attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump's reduction in foreign aid. Thailand's policy aims to foster self-reliance among refugees, preparing them to contribute to their host country or be better positioned for resettlement elsewhere. UNHCR estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 refugees could secure jobs in the coming year, though the pace depends on administrative processes and job availability. Challenges such as movement restrictions and adapting to life outside of aid dependency remain.