Legal Awareness Strengthens the Voices of Migrant Workers in Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand – “How much money would I get if I died in an accident?” 

The room fell silent after the bold question came from one of the migrant workers attending a labour rights and legal awareness session organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Human Rights Development Foundation (HRDF) in northern Thailand. 

“You would not get any,” replies Ying, the community trainer leading the session. “But your family would receive compensation and funeral assistance.” 

For Ying, a 38-year-old migrant from Myanmar and a community leader helping her peers understand their labour rights, few things are as rewarding as watching others gain the confidence to ask such questions. 

“Helping people access their rights brings me happiness,” she says with pride.

Originally from Shan State, Myanmar, Ying has spent nearly half her life working as a domestic worker in northern Thailand. Like many from her village, her parents migrated to Thailand in search of work. The family was separated for years before reuniting when Ying, then in her twenties, followed in their footsteps hoping for a more stable future. 

“At first, all I wanted was to see my parents again,” she recalls. “But they encouraged me to stay and build a better life here.” 

Being reunited with her parents eased her transition to a new country. They helped her find a job, complete the necessary paperwork, and learn Thai. 

But not everyone is as fortunate. Many migrants arrive in Thailand without proper information or language skills, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. 

“Access to information is more than just knowing your rights – it’s the first step toward empowerment and protection,” says Jitradee Singhakowin, National Project Officer at IOM Thailand. “When migrants are informed, they can navigate challenges, protect themselves, and inspire others in their community to do the same.”

Ying’s journey as a community leader began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when her aunt encouraged her to attend a legal training organized by HRDF and IOM. 

Since 2022, IOM and HRDF have been working together to provide migrant workers with accurate, up-to-date information on labour, migration, and social protection laws in their native languages through community outreach and training sessions. 

“We realized that the key to reaching migrant workers effectively is having workers themselves take the lead,” explains Polwish Subsrisunjai, Programme Director at HRDF. “They speak the same language, understand each other’s struggles, and share the same community ties.” 

With support from IOM, he and his team developed a training programme to teach legal knowledge and build the capacity of migrant community leaders, who now train others within their communities.

After her first class, Ying was determined to stay involved.

“I heard there was a class about labour laws in Thailand. I was unemployed at the time, so I decided to give it a try,” she says. “It turned out to be something I really liked.” 

Four years later, Ying now stands at the front of the classroom, guiding her peers through sessions that cover everything from labour rights to road safety – a topic often overlooked despite the fact that many migrants face occupational hazards while commuting or working in high-risk environments. 

“Our fellow migrant workers often ask about their rights when they are involved in road accidents,” she explains. “In general, there are fines and other costs if you’re at fault, but for migrants like us, the consequences can be much more complicated. That’s why we must do our best to follow the law.” 

The training not only helps migrants understand their rights but also empowers them to use grievance mechanisms when those rights are violated. 

Beyond the classroom, community leaders like Ying play a crucial role in helping peers navigate complex legal systems. They often step in to interpret, offer guidance, or help file claims. 

“I once worked on a social security case where I helped a migrant worker’s family receive compensation after he died on the job,” Ying says. “In another case, we helped someone claim support from the Workmen’s Compensation Fund. I’m proud to have played a part in those outcomes.”

Ying isn’t alone in this endeavour. Her friend On, also from Myanmar, has been working in Thailand for over three decades and now dedicates her time to supporting other migrants. 

“I’m glad there are still people in our community who are brave enough to come forward and ask for help when they face injustice,” says On. “As a community leader, I feel proud when I can support someone through a difficult case or simply be there when they need help.” 

Both women believe that knowledge is power – and that empowering migrant workers to be self-reliant is key to building stronger, more informed communities. 

“The training gives us access to knowledge we wouldn’t have otherwise,” On says. “It’s very difficult for workers to find this kind of information.” Ying adds that gaining access to rights and information has made them more confident. “When you understand your rights, you can protect yourself and others,” she says. 

Their work continues to ripple outward as more migrants learn from their peers, helping create communities where awareness and solidarity replace fear and isolation. 

IOM’s community outreach activities for migrant communities on legal assistance are part of the Migration, Business and Human Rights Programme in Asia (MBHR Asia), funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden.


Originally published by the Internation Organization for Migration