Migrants struggle to earn a living during lockdown

In May 2021, Si Mum Muang market reported more than 900 COVID-19 cases; 70% of those infected were migrants, according to the Pathum Thani Health office.

The incident closed the market and affected nearby communities that also went into lockdown to prevent the spread of infection. This heavily affected the migrants, many of whom were undocumented. Everyone had to remain inside their homes.

Small shop owners and daily wage employees quickly ran into difficulties. No work meant no money, and no money brought about a range of problems for everyone in the community. 

Most of the migrants were reluctant to come forward, but it was critical that they got the healthcare support they needed, so the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Thai Red Cross, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Michael's Church, Sapan Mai Sub-District of Bangkok, WHO Thailand and other NGOs came together to provide help to these vulnerable groups and to ensure that no one was left behind. 

Overall, these healthcare stakeholders met almost 100 migrants from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam to raise awareness on the dangers of COVID-19, along with sharing prevention measures and providing vaccinations. 

On 11 November 2021, the stakeholders arranged the vaccination of vulnerable people at Michael's Church, Sapan Mai, as well as gave them advice on personal prevention measures to apply for COVID-19. 

Cambodian woman Neang Soc Vune, 39, had just been in Thailand with her husband for a few months when the market closed. Suddenly she found herself in a foreign country, unable to speak the language, with no job and no money to pay for rent. 

Mung Mung Ou from Myanmar has lived in Thailand for 30 years. The 51-year-old ice-cream vendor rode around the local area selling his sweet treats. When the virus hit the area, he was confined to his home. He wants to be vaccinated to protect himself so he can start selling ice-cream again. 

 Rom Lysa is a 22-year-old Cambodian woman who is 5-months pregnant and wants to be vaccinated to protect her baby.

33-year-old Thach Ry from Vietnam lives with his wife and likes to keep up-to-date with the news on Thai television and social media. He’s afraid of getting infected by COVID-19 and hasn’t worked much since the market closed, but he understands the prevention measures he needs to follow and that staying at home keeps him and his family safe. 

Cambodian Prom Sopheap, 36, was very scared by the large outbreak at the market and in her community as she works in Si Mum Muang. It’s been a tough time for her family as she doesn’t dare to leave the house and is unable to work.

Original article published on WHO Thailand.

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