Conclusion and Recommendations

Abstract

Employment opportunities for displaced persons remain severely restricted within the Thai labour market, primarily due to the formal policy of the RTG in confining displaced people to the settlements. Even if the policy was relaxed, the demand for unskilled labour is limited in the foreseeable future, and is largely filled by migrant labour. The best options for economic progress for displaced persons remain return to Myanmar, or relocation to a third country. Within the settlements, there is potential for greater self-sufficiency, such as the growing of food and the provision of health care, which will reduce dependency on humanitarian aid and provide meaningful activity and better quality of life for many of the displaced people until a more permanent solution can be found. Small business development and other activities that take place within the settlements and service of other displaced persons could be further encouraged with skills development and some capital provision.