RELIANCE ON FOREIGN WORKER OF CAMBODIAN NATIONALITY IN SA KAEO PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to study 1) Examine the patterns of reliance on Cambodian Foreign Worker. 2) Investigate the factors that influence Cambodian foreign workers to seek employment in Thailand 3) Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of depending on foreign worker in the Thai labor market.

The research is a qualitative study. The key informants include groups of business operators in the construction industry, the agricultural sector, and commercial retailers located near the border areas. The sample size was determined using simple random sampling. Data collection tools consisted of interview guides and observation forms. The data were analyzed using content analysis.

Research Findings 1) The study found that there is a dependence on foreign worker primarily in low-skilled, manual labor roles rather than in skilled or specialized work. This is due to a shortage of workers in labor-intensive positions. The recruitment of migrant workers depends on the type of business in Thailand. For agricultural businesses, migrant workers are typically hired during the harvesting season. In contrast, retail and construction businesses require ongoing labor, so the recruitment of migrant workers in these sectors tends to emphasize legal compliance, with clearly defined procedures for hiring. It is evident that there is a consistent demand for migrant workers, especially in manual labor positions. 2) Push factors from the country of origin include the desire for a better quality of life, access to basic needs (the four requisites), and favorable employment-related welfare. On the other hand, pull factors from the destination country stem from labor shortages and the demand for migrant workers who are resilient, capable of performing physically demanding tasks, and able to maintain consistent employment. Consequently, there is a continued demand for migrant labor within various enterprises operators 3) The advantages of employing Cambodia workers include smoother and more efficient operations, particularly in the agricultural sector, where such workers are considered essential. However, there are some disadvantages, such as communication difficulties. These tend to improve over time as migrant workers gradually learn the Thai language. Another drawback is the financial investment required for recruitment, including fees for legal employment processes. In some cases, employers may face losses if workers abandon their jobs after being hired.