Mental Health of Migrant Workers on the Myanmar-Thailand Border

James McClure

According to recent estimates, more than 2.4 million migrant workers reside in Thailand. The majority of these workers arrived from the neighboring nation of Thailand, and many do not obtain any type of legitimate registration for their residency. Unfortunately, employers rarely respect the human rights of these migrants, as researchers characterize unsafe working conditions and abusive behavior by employers as “systematic and institutionalized” within this region. In a study examining the mental health of migrant workers in Thailand, the most common stressors across industries were identified as being forced to work overtime or while sick, as well as verbal abuse.

Health policy created by the Thai government has done little to aid the situation of these migrants. While registered migrant workers can legally access national healthcare, unregistered workers face cultural and linguistic barriers to receiving proper treatment. Government health clinics are generally inaccessible to unregistered migrant workers, as they often require the presentation of a work visa to receive treatment. NGO clinics are not always an effective solution either, as migrants are often subject to long wait times for treatment in comparison to private clinics. While some employers provide health insurance for workers, low-wage positions that are occupied by migrants rarely provide this opportunity. Even in situations where migrants have proper access to Thai healthcare, physical health is prioritized over mental health treatment.