Summary New tactics to help migrant workers - TDRI: Thailand Development Research Institute tdri.or.th
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One Line
Efforts to resume Covid-19 screening, provide vaccinations, and offer emergency assistance aim to protect migrant workers' health and support economic recovery.
Slides
Slide Presentation (7 slides)
Key Points
- Migrant workers in Thailand have been left with little care from the government during the pandemic.
- The government needs to resume active Covid-19 screening among migrant workers.
- The majority of migrant workers in Thailand are at a higher risk of infection due to their nature of manual labor.
- Free vaccinations for migrant workers should be offered to create herd immunity and support the reopening of the economy.
- Emergency assistance, including basic necessities, should be provided to migrant workers affected by business closures.
- Support for migrant workers has primarily come from civil society organizations, while the government has not provided much assistance.
- Taking better care of migrant workers is crucial for disease control and economic recovery in Thailand.
Summaries
19 word summary
Resume Covid-19 screening, provide free vaccinations, and offer emergency assistance to protect migrant workers' health and support economic recovery.
52 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) suggests three changes to aid migrant workers during the pandemic. Firstly, resume Covid-19 screening for migrant workers. Secondly, provide free vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. Lastly, offer emergency assistance to affected workers. These changes will protect their health, contribute to disease control, and support economic recovery.
130 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has put forth three key changes to assist migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Firstly, active Covid-19 screening should be resumed among migrant workers, as only 15% have been tested so far. Testing is crucial to prevent outbreaks and the spread of the virus within this population. Secondly, free vaccinations should be provided to all migrant workers to achieve herd immunity and support economic reopening. Public health volunteers can play a role in administering vaccines to this group. Lastly, emergency assistance should be offered to affected migrant workers who have experienced business closures. This assistance is essential for their well-being during the pandemic. By implementing these changes, Thailand can safeguard the health and well-being of migrant workers, contributing to disease control and economic recovery.
458 word summary
The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, including migrant workers in Thailand. Despite their contributions to the Thai economy, migrant workers and their families have received little support from the government during this crisis. To address this issue, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) proposes three changes in the management of migrant workers during the pandemic.
Firstly, the government needs to resume active Covid-19 screening among migrant workers. Currently, only 15% of migrant workers in Thailand have received Covid-19 tests. Given that previous outbreaks have occurred in communities of migrant workers, such as construction camps, it is crucial to increase testing among this population. As of July 22, around 43% of screened migrants had tested positive for Covid-19. However, the actual number of infections is expected to be higher since active testing was halted on July 5. If testing is not freely available to migrant workers, they may unknowingly contribute to the spread of the virus.
The second suggestion is to provide free vaccinations for migrant workers. Currently, only 3.47% of foreigners living in Thailand have been vaccinated against Covid-19. To achieve herd immunity and support economic reopening, a vaccination program that includes all migrant workers should be implemented. The Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Health, and the Thai Red Cross have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate public health volunteers in factories, establishments, and communities. This measure will help facilitate the vaccine rollout by training health volunteers to vaccinate migrant workers.
The third suggestion is to provide emergency assistance to migrant workers who have been affected by business closures. Many workers currently lack access to basic necessities such as water, sanitary items, medicine, and food. This assistance is crucial for maintaining their health during the pandemic. While civil society organizations (CSOs) have provided support to migrant workers, the government should also play a role in providing assistance. The government has access to comprehensive information about migrant workers through work permit applications, making it easier for them to provide support if they choose to do so.
It is important to recognize that the well-being of migrant workers is essential for disease control and economic recovery. Migrant workers have been and will continue to be vital to Thailand's economic growth, especially as the country undergoes demographic changes. Taking better care of migrant workers will help ensure their continued participation in the workforce and contribute to both disease control and economic recovery.
In conclusion, the TDRI proposes three changes to support migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. These include increasing Covid-19 testing among migrant workers, providing free vaccinations, and offering emergency assistance. By implementing these measures, Thailand can better protect the health and well-being of migrant workers, which is crucial for disease control and economic recovery.
471 word summary
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, particularly migrant workers in Thailand. Despite their significant contributions to the Thai economy, migrant workers and their families have received limited support from the government during this crisis. To address this issue, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) suggests three key changes that should be made in the management of migrant workers during the pandemic.
Firstly, the government needs to resume active Covid-19 screening among migrant workers. Currently, only 15% of migrant workers in Thailand have undergone Covid-19 tests. Given that previous outbreaks have occurred in communities with migrant workers, such as construction camps, it is crucial to increase testing within this population. As of July 22, around 43% of screened migrants had tested positive for Covid-19. However, the actual number of infections is likely to be higher since active testing was suspended on July 5. If testing is not readily available to migrant workers, they may unknowingly contribute to the spread of the virus.
The second suggestion is to provide free vaccinations for migrant workers. Currently, only 3.47% of foreigners living in Thailand have been vaccinated against Covid-19. In order to achieve herd immunity and support economic reopening, a vaccination program that includes all migrant workers should be implemented. The Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Health, and the Thai Red Cross have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to involve public health volunteers in factories, establishments, and communities. This measure will help facilitate the vaccine rollout by training health volunteers to administer vaccines to migrant workers.
The third suggestion is to offer emergency assistance to migrant workers who have been affected by business closures. Many workers currently lack access to basic necessities such as water, sanitary items, medicine, and food. This assistance is crucial for maintaining their health during the pandemic. While civil society organizations (CSOs) have provided support to migrant workers, the government should also play a role in providing assistance. The government has access to comprehensive information about migrant workers through work permit applications, making it easier for them to provide support if they choose to do so.
It is crucial to recognize that the well-being of migrant workers is essential for disease control and economic recovery. Migrant workers have been and will continue to be vital to Thailand's economic growth, particularly as the country undergoes demographic changes. Taking better care of migrant workers will help ensure their continued participation in the workforce and contribute to both disease control and economic recovery.
In conclusion, the TDRI proposes three changes to support migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. These include increasing Covid-19 testing among migrant workers, providing free vaccinations, and offering emergency assistance. By implementing these measures, Thailand can better protect the health and well-being of migrant workers, which is crucial for disease control and economic recovery.