Roles of transnational advocacy networks in improving healthcare access for Cambodian migrants working in the Thai agricultural sector
Issued Date
2024
Copyright Date
2020
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
No. of Pages/File Size
xi, 113 leaves: ill.
Access Rights
open access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ขอสงวนไว้สำหรับเพื่อการศึกษาเท่านั้น ต้องอ้างอิงแหล่งที่มา ห้ามดัดแปลงเนื้อหา และห้ามนำไปใช้เพื่อการค้า
Rights Holder(s)
Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
Thesis (M.A. (Human Rights and Democratisation))--Mahidol University, 2020
Suggested Citation
Sophea, Try, 1995- Roles of transnational advocacy networks in improving healthcare access for Cambodian migrants working in the Thai agricultural sector. Thesis (M.A. (Human Rights and Democratisation))--Mahidol University, 2020. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99427
Title
Roles of transnational advocacy networks in improving healthcare access for Cambodian migrants working in the Thai agricultural sector
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Abstract
Under the Thai Labour Protection Act (1998) and Social Security Act (1990), low-skilled migrants are classified into formal and informal workers. Agricultural migrants who work in the informal sectors do not receive the same entitlements and benefits compared to migrants who work in the formal sectors. The health of agricultural workers is affected by chemical exposure and the rough living conditions in remote areas. Access to healthcare for these hard-to-reach populations is often hindered by the "4A barriers: accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability". In recent years, migrants' rights have been a matter of concern for activists and organizations working on labour migration. This study illustrated the roles of transnational advocacy networks (TANs) in helping Cambodian agricultural migrants to access healthcare. The research was conducted based on a qualitative case study approach. The case study explored the role of the Mekong Migration Network (MMN), a research-based organization that has been working on the issues of migrant workers for more than 15 years. The study used extensive desk research combined with primary data from semi-structured online interviews with representatives from MMN. It indicated that the socio-political context influenced the network's role and strategies. Despite some challenges, this study found that a considerable range of member organizations engage predominantly in providing immediate support to migrant workers as an enforcer of worker's problems. MMN, on the other hand, has proved its crucial role through policy advocacy and lobby for migrants' rights at the national and regional levels. Interestingly, migration networks, organizations, and the government often overlooked the issue of agricultural migrants in accessing healthcare. Unlike other labour rights violations, the right to health is hardly captured in the agenda-setting of TANs, suggesting its limited space in advocating on this particular issue. Instead, members of TANs advocate for the right to health in conjunction with other human rights violations in policy inclusion of the state. In conclusion, this thesis argued that TANs play essential roles in protecting the rights of this marginalized group and monitoring the state through advocacy for a non-discrimination and inclusive policy. IMPLICATION OF THESIS. Suggestion for further research 1. Future studies should focus more on the contribution of transnational advocacy network in promoting economic, social, and cultural rights. 2. Scholars can elaborate more on the work and its effectiveness of transnational advocacy in addressing the wide range of human rights violations for other marginalized groups such as migrant workers, refugees, asylum seekers. 3. Focus more on the issues faced by other migrant workers working from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, who work in different sectors such as construction workers.
Description
Human Rights and Democratisation (Mahidol University 2020)
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Level
Master's degree
Degree Department
Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies
Degree Discipline
Human Rights and Democratisation
Degree Grantor(s)
Mahidol University