| Author | Huang Zhirong |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in
Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The influential factor of gender disparity is examined on Burmese migrant workers for their
livelihood coping strategies and the barriers and constraints they face during the 2011 flood
in Thailand in this study. Most of them do temporary and low-paid job, have low education
and undergo a low level of interaction with Thai people due to their migrant status, especially
for undocumented persons. Lacking access to legal coverage in Thailand, they have to take
action and seek for self-help and mutual aid spontaneously when faced the threat of flood. It
is found that many elements due to migration experience produce dilemma on Burmese
immigrants because of barriers in culture, institution and structure in Thailand. Gender norms,
regulations and roles, and practice of society and culture are embedded in stereotypes of
culture and religions which are deeply rooted in Myanmar migrant society.
The aim of this research is also evaluated that how Thai laws influenced the migrants’ coping
strategies with the flood, and identify the factors that cause migrants’ insecurities by a policy
regime, consisting of migration laws and regulations and non-migration related policies and
programs, that pushes migrants into irregular forms of mobility and insecure employment
options. These effects are worse for women migrants who have fewer resources to access
legal channels while they are relegated to insecure employment in the reproductive or
informal sectors. Gender roles of tradition are enhanced when they are unrecognized and
unconscious of their rights and living states. Myanmar migrants are a vital part of the Thai
economy. The plight of their living condition in the new society was especially worried. This
study recommends that gender equality should be designed into policies and guided their
implementation. How to offer migrants’ long-term solutions to this problem is also the main
question this study seeks to answer. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Doneys, Philippe ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko;Thapa, Gopal Bahadur ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | International Fellowships Program Ford Foundation, USA;
AIT Fellowship; |