The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has praised the Royal Thai Government for adopting a resolution that grants long-staying refugees from Myanmar the right to work in Thailand. This policy change directly addresses the needs of approximately 81,000 forcibly displaced individuals living in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, many of whom have resided in these camps for decades and are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid. Nearly half of this population was born in the shelters, highlighting the protracted nature of their displacement.
According to UNHCR Representative Tammi Sharpe, the resolution marks a significant turning point for refugees and host communities alike. By allowing refugees to work legally, Thailand is transforming the act of hosting displaced populations into an opportunity for economic growth, benefiting both refugees and the broader national economy. Refugees will now be able to support their families, increase local consumption, create jobs, and contribute to national GDP growth and economic resilience.
The policy is particularly timely as global humanitarian funding faces severe cuts, putting millions of displaced people at risk. By formalizing the right to work for a segment of its refugee population, Thailand builds on its 50-year legacy of refugee protection and sets a potential regional benchmark for sustainable, rights-based refugee solutions. UNHCR emphasizes that, while this resolution currently applies to a limited number of refugees, broader inclusion remains a key advocacy priority.
UNHCR has expressed readiness to assist the Royal Thai Government in implementing this resolution through strategic development partnerships, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders with expertise in both refugee protection and development to ensure the policy’s success.
