| Author | Boonsom Namsomboon |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.GD-11-01 |
| Subject(s) | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011
|
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
|
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. GD-11-01 |
| Abstract | Exclusion from state-provided social security systems is complex and this study aimed to
investigate the various reasons as well as the mechanisms whereby women home-based
workers access social security. It was necessary to examine the ways in which
homeworkers address risks such as sickness, death, disability, old age, childbirth and so on
in the context of their characteristic. The value of such research is in the identification of
their priority needs as workers and as women. Through examination of the existing social
security systems in Thailand (as provided by both state and non-state agencies), and by
means of the assessment of home-based workers' access to those services, the researcher
could analyze the accessibility of social security services.
This information could facilitate the drafting of guidelines for the development of more
accessible state and non-state social security systems for woman homeworkers and
understanding the constraints of the patriarchal system in which they live.
Most workers in the informal economy have not been able to access social security
schemes that the state has provided to the formal sector workers. Those who could make
use of government schemes were those who were well-informed. Those who had difficulty
had little information, perhaps due to discrimination; had low economic status; and did not
have enough capabilities. The government provision of health services through the '30
Baht scheme', Health Centres, and Community Health Centres was shown to have
limitations. The results from the study show that less than half of the respondents were able
to access healthcare service provided by the state. The reasons for those who did not use
'universal healthcare coverage' were related to administrative discrimination, travel
expenses, hospital subsidies, distrust of services, lack of correct information, time
constraints, and need for other supp01i. However, there were some of the respondents who
were satisfied with treatment received and benefitted from the scheme.
The study found out that when the respondents utilized the state-offered services, they
needed non-state services to help them for financing and care. The role of husbands as a
payer and caretaker for women homeworkers was minimal. This reflects prevalent Thai
perceptions about gender roles in the household. The results indicate that those who had
lived for longer in their neighbourhoods had better networks on which they could depend
when they were sick. Some women home-based workers were able to access to private
clinics/hospitals; and/or used traditional medicines and treatments; and/or bought the
medicines from drug stores. For economic security, was discussed how respondents deal
with temporary unemployment and with land and house insecurity.
Social security provided by the government has largely been of limited benefit to most of
the underprivileged groups, and several informal social security programs have been
implemented by the private sector as well as by home-based workers themselves, such as
credit union cooperatives, community-based self-help groups and private insurance
companies. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. GD-11-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| 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) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Resurreccion, Bernadette ;Perera, L.A.S. Ranjith ;Bhowmik, Sharit K. |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |