A United Nations refugee official says Thailand’s decision to allow Myanmar refugees to work legally has created opportunities for thousands and could serve as a blueprint for other Southeast Asian countries.
Since Thailand relaxed employment restrictions last year, more than 5,500 Myanmar refugees residing in border camps have secured jobs, according to Raouf Mazou, UNHCR assistant high commissioner for operations.
The policy shift responded to declining global humanitarian funding, partly due to foreign aid cuts by U.S. President Donald Trump, and Thailand’s growing labor shortages exacerbated by armed conflicts with Cambodia.
Thailand now permits approximately 80,000 Myanmar refugees to work legally – a major change for a community that has depended on humanitarian assistance for decades while living in nine border facilities.
Mazou believes Thailand’s initiative could provide a framework for other regional nations like Bangladesh and Malaysia that accommodate large refugee populations, demonstrating how displaced people can contribute economically while maintaining legal protections and government supervision.
“If it works here, it will have an impact on the region,” Mazou stated during an interview.
Since the program began in October, Thai officials have collaborated with employers to guarantee refugee workers receive legal safeguards, medical benefits, and minimum wage compensation, according to Mazou.
The initiative includes providing refugees with special identification documents that enable them to establish bank accounts, acquire mobile phone service, and confirm their legal standing – measures Mazou described as essential for incorporating them into Thailand’s official economy.
UN projections suggest that current patterns indicate between 10,000 and 20,000 refugees may obtain employment within the coming year, though growth depends on bureaucratic procedures and practical job availability.
Mazou noted that refugees continue facing obstacles including movement limitations and adjusting to life beyond the aid-dependent camp environment they’ve known for decades.
“Self-reliance prepares people to be part of the country they’re from… helps them if they are resettled elsewhere, or helps them integrate where they are,” he explained.
