Resident Coordinator's remarks at the launch of the publication "Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Thailand"

On behalf of the United Nations, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the launch of this comprehensive study on the Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand undertaken by IOM.

The report examines the consequences of the pandemic for migrant workers, which has not previously been assessed in a large-scale regional survey.

I have had the chance to review the report and found the key findings very informative.

We know that the pandemic has affected the lives and well-being of everyone in Thailand, with some of the most severe impacts felt among the nearly 4 million migrant workers employed mainly in lower-wage occupations, in sectors that are core to the economy such as construction, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and hospitality.

In particular, I was struck by the outcomes for migrants who chose to stay in Thailand after the onset of the pandemic, with nearly 7 in 10 remaining employed through the initial lockdown. For those people who choose to leave Thailand and return to their home country, unemployment was much higher with almost all the returnees working for lower wages than before.

The survey also showed that during the lockdown more migrants were being paid below minimum wage. As expected, women were affected disproportionately with more than half earning less than the minimum wage.

This kind of data is crucial for evidence-based policy and responses at the regional and country levels, and I commend IOM for this important contribution.

Thailand’s response to the pandemic and ability to curb infections has been a remarkable success story, largely due to the Government’s rapid and comprehensive delivery of public health measures and comprehensive socioeconomic stimulus packages.

As a “champion country” of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Government has proactively supported inclusion of migrant workers in its COVID-19 response and recovery plans.

Following border closures, migrant workers in Thailand were granted more flexibility to change employers and renew their work permits without leaving the country. As of November last year, nearly 1.5 million migrant workers had benefitted.

The Government is committed to providing free COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone living in Thailand, including both documented and undocumented migrants. As of this year, nearly half of the total non-Thai population in the country have been vaccinated.

The pandemic presents also an opportunity to build back better. We are at an important juncture, where we should review the latest evidence and rethink the medium and long-term course of development for a resilient recovery aligned with Thailand’s commitment towards the SDGs, Global Compact and leaving no one behind.

From the UN Country Team perspective, I want to emphasize how relevant migration is to all of the SDGs and a key element mainstreamed into our UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in Thailand.

The UN remains committed to working collaboratively to support Thailand on its path towards a strong, resilient recovery and sustainable development.

Thank you.