Migrant Workers’ Quality of Life on Thai Fishing Boats: A Study of Three Perspectives During a Time of Great Change in Thailand’s Sea Fishery

Abstract

          This research aims to study (1) Thai government officials’ actions in managing migrant workers’ quality of life on Thai fishing boats, (2) Thai sea-fishing business owners’ treatment of the migrant workers, and (3) migrant workers’ perception of their quality of life on Thai fishing boats, under the context of Thai fishery laws significant change from 2015 through 2018 as a result of EU’s “yellow card” against Thailand for its illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing). This qualitative research uses a purposive sampling technique and in-depth interviews to collect data from 29 Thai government officials working in related organizations, 14 fishery business owners employing migrant workers, and 21 migrant workers on Thai fishing boats from five coastal provinces (with the highest rates of migrant workers) such as Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla. The finding indicates that migrant workers’ quality of life and work are much improved due to the change in sea fisheries laws and the establishment of the Port In and Port Out Control Center (PIPO). The sea-fishing business owners must strictly follow the laws and regulations in every aspect. According to government officials, business owners, and migrant workers, the quality of life and work of migrant workers has been improved.