Thailand's Hidden Workforce: Burmese Migrant Women Factory Workers by Ruth Pearson and Kyoko Kusakabe (review)

The book focuses on Burmese migrant women who work in Thailand's garment factories. It is based on research conducted between 2006 and 2010 in three locations — Mae Sot and Sangkhlaburi (Three Pagodas Pass), both of which are located near the Thailand-Myanmar border, and Samut Prakan, near Bangkok. It addresses various dimensions of these women's lives, including leaving their homes in Myanmar for Thailand, searching for jobs, coping with bad working conditions and low wages, struggling in a new environment, raising families, trying to create their own communities, wrestling to pay debts, and others. It makes clear their need to cope with anxiety, hardship, dangers and all kinds of insecurity. They may face harassment, assault, and even murder — sometimes with government officials as the perpetrators.

None of this may sound unfamiliar to readers acquainted with other research on the broad topic of woman migrant workers. This book is, however, particularly rich in information from the field. We hear the voices of Burmese women — of several ethnic groups, and of different age groups and backgrounds — telling their life stories. We learn that, notwithstanding all the difficulties and uncertainties, these women have tried to make the best of their lives. We are told that some women have earned degrees from Burmese universities, some used to work in garment factories in Yangon and can sew with skill (p. 59), some have met friends who came from the same village and who have given them help and made their lives easier (p. 64), some have "managed to establish our own community" (p. 92), some could save money but made themselves look poor so that the local Thais "will feel pity for me" (p. 98). We even find out that some workers in Mae Sot were "sent by the factory management to the other side of the river [in Burmese territory] for 'an afternoon's shopping' following a tip-off from the Mae Sot police". The unregistered migrant workers could therefore escape arrest (p. 16). It is quite possible, I guess, that the warning came from some officials, who might have some special relationships with the factory management.

We also learn from this book, perhaps even more importantly, that not only are these women individuals with their own goals and dreams, but also that each of the three research sites is unique. Sangkhlaburi, for example, is a free trade zone (as well as a militarized zone), where workers are not pressured "to register officially". Although the nominal wages there are lower, workers "could actually earn more there than in Mae Sot, where they would be subject to high levels of deduction [from wages]" (pp. 94–95). In my view, most places in Thailand where Burmese migrant workers work and live are distinctive in their social milieux and in the experiences that migrants are likely to have.

I formerly conducted a research in Ranong, a port in southern Thailand. It is only thirty minutes away from Myanmar's Kawthaung by a ferry and has been an active centre in the border trade for decades. A few years ago it was estimated that the Burmese workers made up to half of its population, a figure that is perhaps even higher today. Most Burmese worked in the fishing industry, but many of them made their livings at other sorts of jobs, including self-employment. There were small eating houses, karaoke bars, grocery shops, and other small businesses, all run by Burmese. There were a few small childcare centres, in which all employees and children were Burmese. Because of the number of Burmese in Ranong, it was no surprise to hear many local Thais express the view that, without the Burmese, local businesses might be in trouble and they might not be able to make a living. The Burmese were both workers and customers or consumers. Most passengers using the local motorcycle taxis and songthaew (private buses...