In 1996, at the request of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Thailand, programs were developed to assist the growing number of Thai laborers who were traveling abroad for overseas work opportunities in the hope of a better life for themselves and their families. The vast majority of Thai men and women opt for countries in Asia, such as Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong and Korea. Many prosper. There are many who face complex problems and become vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. A large and often corrupt system of middlemen called "job brokers" arrange for contracts with companies abroad and then demand up-front placement fees from the prospective migrant for those job contracts. These fees are so high that they require the worker to incur heavy debt to pay them and the result is that it can easily take many years of work before the worker can begin saving and returning money to families in Thailand. There are other problems. Some workers arrive to find job positions that they hoped to fill do not exist. In some cases employment contracts are mysteriously cancelled leaving unemployed Thai’s stranded. Some workers are not paid for their work. Few Thai’s speak the languages of their host countries or fluent English or other languages usable in those countries. They have not been informed about where to turn for help when needed. Research into these problems and the valuable assistance of the prestigious Asian Research Center on Migration of Chulalonghorn University resulted in developing solutions in three areas: Pre-departure orientation for workers, on-site outreach to workers while abroad, and assistance in reintegration for workers completing overseas contracts.

Pre-departure assistance is offered in gaining the necessary documents for migration, such as passports, proper visas, health cards, etc. The most important aspect of orientation is a frank description of the reality of the working situation in the various host countries where the workers will be going. Sources of emergency assistance while overseas and some knowledge of the host country’s labor laws and penalties for violation of terms of immigration and work permits is helpful. The workers should know of what they should expect from "job brokers." Other topics important in workshops are HIV-AIDS awareness, methods for sending remittances back to family members in Thailand, expectations as regards medical coverage in job-related injury or death. Workshops are usually conducted in rural areas in collaboration with the Thai Ministry of Labor officials. At times we find other interested groups, such as temple or church groups, who ask for our workshops. We gladly comply.

We have four staff persons on site in Taiwan where the largest number of Thai overseas workers resides (some 160,000). On-site staff provides translation services, solidarity building, counseling, prison and hospital visits, educational programs and advocacy in justice issues. We have another staff person on-site in Singapore, one preparing to go to Korea and are negotiating to place other staff people in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Brunei, as they also have large numbers of Thai workers whose needs can be served with future staff placements.

Most Thai migrant workers return after the completion of their work contracts abroad and continue their lives with their families without difficulty. Some are not so fortunate. Many Thai women migrant workers have been exploited and forced into prostitution Counseling is offered with special sensitivity and concern and referral is made when necessary to the Women’s Desk or more specialized agencies or specialists. When returned workers have been cheated while working overseas, their cases are pursed through legal channels and the Ministry of Labor is alerted so steps can be taken against guilty parties. Education on savings plans and the productive uses of funds earned while employed overseas are offered to returned workers who request these services.

Rev. Bill O’Leary, MM (e-mail: billocmc@asiaaccess.net.th) is the Director of the Ministry to Thai Workers Overseas. Funding is provided by Maryknoll and private contributions.