A chance to work in Thailand

In November 2025, Aye Myint, a refugee from Myanmar who was born and raised in Mae La camp after her family fled conflict, waited in a hospital in Tak Province to complete health insurance and administrative procedures before leaving the camp to work.

By April 2026, she was in Bangkok, earning a steady income on a construction site and sending money home to support her family.

“I want to earn my own living,” she said.

Her journey reflects an important shift underway in Thailand. Following a landmark policy change in 2025, refugees living in camps along the border with Myanmar have begun accessing legal employment, marking a move toward greater self-reliance and inclusion in national systems.

Before leaving the camp, Aye Myint earned small amounts through agricultural work. Opportunities were limited, and supporting her family was a constant concern.

Now, she earns a steady income in construction, more than double her previous earnings, and regularly sends money back to Mae La. Her six-year-old daughter remains there with her grandparents, while her mother depends on her support for medical care.

“I want my daughter to have a good education,” she said. “That’s why I have to work.”

For employers, the shift has come at a critical time.

Thanapha, who runs a construction and electrical wiring business she has built over more than a decade, has seen labour shortages make it increasingly difficult to meet project timelines. Recruiting refugee workers has helped fill part of that gap.

As of March 2026, nearly 3,800 refugees from border camps had entered employment across Thailand, including in construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

“We still need more workers,” she said.

Through job fairs in border camps, her company has hired around 100 refugees, reflecting wider labour needs across sectors.

At one construction site in Bangkok, refugee workers are part of mixed teams, learning on the job alongside more experienced colleagues.

“They need time at the beginning,” she explained. “But many of them are committed to learning and improving.”

The transition from camp to workplace is not always straightforward.

Aye Myint and her husband first tried working in a factory but returned to the camp after a short period due to difficult conditions and the lack of accommodation. Their move into construction proved more sustainable, though the adjustment still required time.

Across the system, government agencies, UNHCR, and partners are working together to strengthen recruitment processes, expand training, and support both refugees and employers through this transition.

“This is a chance for them to build their lives,” Thanapha said.

For Aye Myint, that opportunity is closely tied to responsibility. She works long hours and sends part of her income home each month, supporting both her daughter and her mother back in Mae La.

Her focus is clear.

She wants to save money, support her family, and create better opportunities for her daughter.

“Maybe she can become an engineer,” she said.

On International Labour Day, her story is a reminder that work is more than income. It is about dignity, stability, and the chance to shape one’s own future. For Aye Myint and many others, that opportunity is already beginning to take shape.

Originally published by UNHCR Thailand