A considerable gap exists in access to healthcare for documented and undocumented workers from Myanmar in Thailand, according to a report by UNDP.
Mental health issues are common among those undocumented Myanmar workers.
The report said that healthcare access also varies with their locations, and its coverage is the highest in Thailand.
Due to the hospital registration system based on their work permit, healthcare access is disrupted when they have to move to another location, it stated.
It is estimated that 2.5 million people who entered legally are working in Thailand, most of whom are from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and other neighbouring countries. About 75 per cent of them are Myanmar people, it also said.
The report described unequal working conditions and benefits between legal and undocumented workers.
While sending legal workers, Myanmar held a meeting with Thailand authorities on 6 December to be able to issue identity cards to undocumented Myanmar workers. Among the issues discussed were the renewal of the MOU and labour recruiting agreement, issuance of pink cards for temporary work permits as decided by the Thai government, future plans to allow those with Certificate of Identity (CI) to work and stay, and safe and official channels for sending their remittances home. — Thit Taw/ZN
