Migrant workers from Burma (Myanmar) have been flocking to Thailand to escape civil unrest and harsh economic conditions for many years. After the tsunami in 2004 it became clear to our partners SNF that the migrant workers working in the Andaman coast provinces particularly Phang Nga and Ranong were last in line for support and the conditions they lived in were harsh. It is difficult for migrant workers and their families from Burma to access their human rights, both socially and economically. In many ways, these workers are some of the most disadvantaged of the marginalized people in Thai society.

Construction workers accommodation
Read more about the issue of human rights for Burmese migrant workers and their families in Thailand.
Promoting human rights, good governance and mutual accountability
Ecologia works with Thai NGO Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation (SNF), funded by the Big Lottery Fund, to promote the human and workers rights of Burmese Migrants in Southern Thailand by:

Plan Toys Eco-Accommodation
- Building relationships between migrant workers from Burma, local officials, employers and the Thai community through human rights trainings and awareness raising.
- Launching migrant worker community based organisations, providing leadership training for community leaders and undertaking active peace building events to strengthen ties between communities.
- Multi levelled networking and establishing pilot legal clinics to support the migrant workers access their rights and entitlemen.
Read an article by Jane Rasbash, Thai Projects Consultant, on the impact of this far reaching project.
What we have achieved
We worked with SNF to restore livelihoods and empower devastated communities of 50,000 traumatised and marginalised migrant workers and their families after the tsunami in our first 3-year project, funded by the Big Lottery. Find out more here.
Read the comprehensive report “Migrant Workers are Human too” for more information.