INFORMAL WORKERS IN THE SERVICE SECTOR AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW GAPS: WORK EXPERIENCES AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES AMONG MYANMAR MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE BANGKOK METROPOLITAN REGIONS

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate 1) the work experiences of informal workers in the service sector among Myanmar migrant workers in the Bangkok Metropolitan Regions; 2) gaps in social security law related to labor protection that affect informal workers; and 3) their experiences, barriers, and difficulties in accessing public services. The researchers employed documentary analysis of social security law and related topics, along with a qualitative research design. Data were collected through two methods: in-depth interviews with 14 key informants and five area-based focus group discussions involving participants selected using purposive sampling in total of 50 people, conducted across five provinces of the Bangkok Metropolitan Regions, namely Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon and analyzed with content and thematic analyses. The findings revealed that informal Myanmar workers in the service sector experience employment insecurity, unstable income, language barriers, a lengthy documentation process, and legal status issues. These conditions affected their access to stable employment, the social security system, labor and legal protection, and the Thai public service. Gap in social security law is evident in cases where employers fail to register employees due to the nature of daily work, employees frequently change jobs making it difficult to maintain insured status, and lack understanding of the procedures for exercising their rights so legally guaranteed rights cannot be effectively utilized. In addition, access to public services mainly requires intermediaries, particularly for translation, document preparation, and contact with hospitals and government agencies. This indicates that these gaps are not solely the result of individual informal workers' limitations but rather reflect structural conditions in the labor market, documentation and social security systems, and public service delivery that does not yet align with the working lives of informal workers in the service sector.