タイにおけるミャンマー人移民労働者の実態と問題の構図 : 南タイ・ラノーンの事例から

Abstract

The Thai economy is supported by a large number of unskilled migrant workers from the neighbouringcountries, especially Myanmar, since the late 1980s. However, the Thai government's system of receivingmigrants has been largely defective, due to internal inconsistencies and conflicts among the differentagencies of the government. Based on recent household-level surveys on Myanmar migrants in Ranong, southern Thailand, we delineate their work and living conditions-how they work hard for wages lowerthan the minimum wage that leave them with no surplus for remitting to their home country yet a largeamount of debt, as well as the harassment and abuse they suffer in the hands of Thai government officials, etc. We also show the actual situation of Myanmar sex workers, including the serious problem of humantrafficking they face. By interviewing various government agencies (including the police, labour department, hospitals, etc.), business associations, and NGOs, we show how the "structure" in which the Myanmarmigrants are situated has emerged and is maintained.