Employment of Cambodian Female Migrant Workers in Fishery-related Works in the Area of a Fishing Pier in Trat Province.

Abstract

This research on employment of Cambodian female migrant workers in fishery-related works in the area of a fishing pier in Trat province is aimed at studying way of life, problems and demand for employment of female labors working in fishery related enterprises by certain research methods of interviewing employers/owners of two fish agent establishments and 23 Cambodian female migrant workers who are parents of children under care of the pre-school center in preparation for enrolment into government schools and work in fishery-related occupations in the area of a fishing pier with both participation and non-participation observation means as well as documentary research. The research results that way of most workers’ life are the stay in communities of both Thai and Cambodian, help and support one another.  Female workers usually carry out domestic works, send off their children and grandchildren to schools and after finishing family affairs, work at fish agent establishments.  Female workers work in 2 categories i.e. sorting fish by size and by type.  Most male workers use more force than in various works e.g. setting sail, carrying and conveying, fish dragging.  Their nature of works is uncertain in rest period and time of clocking out, depending on docking boats.  They have day-off during waxing moon.  Wage and payment of wage for these works comply with nature of works. The first fish agent establishment is different from the other.  Female workers usually face problems of health and earnings.  As a result, these migrant workers need additional wage and welfare in their works.  This research suggests providing dissemination of useful information in relation to assistance of migrant workers i.e. provision of migrant health insurance card, access into fundamental rights. Tripartite arrangement comprising with employers, workers and government should set up a network to mutually conduct care and various activities for good relationship and protection of migrant workers as well as joint coordination with non-governmental organization in the local area as mechanism of providing assistance to both employers and workers.