Summary Migrant workers must get shots too - TDRI: Thailand Development Research Institute tdri.or.th
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One Line
Including migrant workers in the vaccination program is crucial for achieving herd immunity and economic recovery, requiring swift action.
Slides
Slide Presentation (10 slides)
Key Points
- Migrant workers in Thailand should be included in the vaccination program.
- Migrant workers contribute significantly to the Thai economy.
- Many migrant workers are not covered by social security and are therefore at a higher risk during the pandemic.
- The government should implement measures to ensure easy registration and access to vaccines for migrant workers.
- An amnesty policy should be introduced for migrant workers with document issues to encourage them to get vaccinated.
- Migrant workers should be compensated for any adverse effects of the vaccines to encourage vaccination.
- Excluding migrant workers from the vaccination program could lead to new outbreaks and hinder economic recovery.
- Achieving herd immunity requires including migrant workers in the vaccination program.
Summaries
19 word summary
Migrant workers must be included in the vaccination program for herd immunity and economic recovery. Immediate action is needed.
83 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) stresses the need to include migrant workers in the COVID-19 vaccination program to achieve herd immunity and revive the economy. Currently, there is no formal system for migrant workers to receive vaccines. The TDRI proposes measures such as prompt inclusion in the free vaccination program, easy registration, an amnesty policy for document issues, and compensation for adverse effects. Excluding migrant workers hinders herd immunity and economic recovery. Immediate action is necessary to prioritize their health and safety.
189 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has emphasized the importance of including migrant workers in the COVID-19 vaccination program to achieve herd immunity and revive the economy. Currently, there is no formal announcement or registration system for migrant workers to receive vaccines. Migrant workers make up about 3.5% of the population and play a significant role in low-skilled labor sectors. Many are not covered by the social security scheme and have received little government assistance during the pandemic. The TDRI proposes several measures to address these challenges. Firstly, migrant workers should be promptly included in the free vaccination program, starting with insured individuals. Efforts should be made to ensure easy registration for migrant workers, considering their limited ICT literacy and language barriers. An amnesty policy should also be introduced for migrant workers with document issues who want to receive vaccines. Furthermore, migrant workers should be compensated for any adverse effects of the vaccines to promote vaccine acceptance. The TDRI emphasizes that excluding migrant workers from the vaccination program hinders efforts to achieve herd immunity and revive the economy, and immediate action is needed to prioritize their health and safety.
398 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has stressed the need to include migrant workers in the COVID-19 vaccination program in order to achieve herd immunity and revive the economy. While the Ministry of Labour had initially planned to offer free vaccines to insured migrant workers, there has been no formal announcement or registration system for them to receive the vaccines.
Migrant workers make up approximately 3.5% of the population and play a significant role in the Thai labor market, particularly in low-skilled manual labor sectors. In 2019, there were over one million insured low-skilled migrant workers, accounting for 8.7% of total insured persons. Many more migrant workers are not covered by the social security scheme. They contribute to vital sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, and restaurants. However, they have received little government assistance during the pandemic and are often excluded from relief packages. Their living conditions in crowded dormitories and communities put them at a higher risk of infection.
To address these challenges, the TDRI proposes several measures. Firstly, the government should promptly include migrant workers in the free vaccination program, starting with insured individuals under the social security scheme. Efforts should be made to ensure easy registration for migrant workers, considering their limited ICT literacy and language barriers. Civil society organizations (CSOs) can also play a role in reaching out to migrant workers.
Secondly, an amnesty policy should be introduced for migrant workers with document issues who want to receive vaccines. Many are unable to leave Thailand due to the pandemic and political unrest in Myanmar, resulting in invalid permits. Extending the amnesty to vaccination would encourage these workers to come forward without fear of prosecution under immigration laws.
Thirdly, migrant workers should be compensated for any adverse effects of the vaccines to promote vaccine acceptance. Currently, only Thai recipients of government-provided COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for compensation. Establishing a fund to compensate migrant workers for adverse effects would address their concerns.
In conclusion, the TDRI emphasizes that migrant workers cannot be excluded from the vaccination program if Thailand aims to achieve herd immunity and revive the economy. The government must take immediate action to include migrant workers, provide easy registration processes, introduce an amnesty policy, and offer compensation for adverse effects. Prioritizing the health and safety of migrant workers is crucial in preventing new outbreaks and ensuring the well-being of all individuals in society.
470 word summary
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) emphasizes the importance of including migrant workers in the COVID-19 vaccination program. The Ministry of Labour had initially planned to offer free vaccines to insured migrant workers, recognizing their significant contributions to the Thai economy. However, there has been no formal announcement or registration system for migrant workers to receive the vaccines.
The TDRI highlights that achieving herd immunity through vaccination is crucial for economic recovery. As migrant workers make up approximately 3.5% of the population, they must be included in the vaccination program regardless of their status. The Thai labor market has become increasingly dependent on migrant workers over the past 20 years, particularly in low-skilled manual labor sectors. In 2019, there were 1,025,293 insured low-skilled migrant workers, accounting for 8.7% of total insured persons.
Many migrant workers are not covered by the social security scheme, making the actual number of migrant workers in Thailand even higher. These workers play vital roles in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, and restaurants. However, they have received little assistance from the government during the pandemic and are often excluded from relief packages. Migrant workers are at a higher risk of infection due to their living conditions in crowded dormitories and communities. Without proper support and inclusion in the vaccination plan, there is a high likelihood of them sparking new outbreaks.
To address these challenges, the TDRI proposes several measures. Firstly, the government should swiftly include migrant workers in the free vaccination program, starting with insured individuals under the social security scheme. Efforts should be made to ensure easy registration for migrant workers, considering their limited ICT literacy and language barriers. Additional outreach plans through civil society organizations (CSOs) should also be considered.
Secondly, an amnesty policy should be introduced for migrant workers with document issues who want to receive vaccines. Many migrant workers are unable to leave Thailand due to the pandemic and political unrest in Myanmar, resulting in invalid permits. Extending the amnesty to vaccination would encourage these workers to come forward without fear of prosecution under immigration laws.
Thirdly, migrant workers should be compensated for any adverse effects of the vaccines to encourage vaccination. Currently, only Thai recipients of government-provided COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for compensation. Establishing a fund to compensate migrant workers for adverse effects would address their concerns and promote vaccine acceptance.
In conclusion, the TDRI emphasizes that migrant workers cannot be excluded from the vaccination program if Thailand aims to achieve herd immunity and reboot the economy. The government must take immediate action to include migrant workers, provide easy registration processes, introduce an amnesty policy, and offer compensation for adverse effects. It is crucial to prioritize the health and safety of migrant workers during the pandemic to prevent new outbreaks and ensure the well-being of all individuals in society.