MBO ORGANIZING IN THAILAND

BY Somkid Duangngern and Poonsap Tulaphan

It took the Foundation for Labor and Employment Promotion  (FLEP) ten years (starting in 1998) to establish five regional networks   - the Central Network, the Northern Network, the North East Network, the South Network, and Bangkok Network,  each of which has homebased workers’ groups under its wing.  Each of the five  regional networks has its own committee and an office with a regional coordinator who works part-time for the network. The national committee is composed of  two representatives from each region and provides the coordination at the national and international levels on policies and issues related to homeworkers.   Homenet Thailand has been most successful in advocating for and extending services on occupational safety and health; in campaigning for universal health care; and recently, in the promotion of a law for homeworkers.

Latest figures  show that there are 151 groups of  informal workers  being served by the networks (144 are home based, 14 belong to the agricultural group, and  three are from the service sector).  Of these numbers, 80 groups have  own account or  self employed workers,  31 have subcontracted workers, and  40  have a combination of  subcontracted and self-employed workers.  Total number of covered workers in 2008 was   6,637, of which  5,031 were females and  1,606 were males.  These workers have already reached 7000 but they do not belong to membership-based organizations. 

Homebased workers networks within Homenet Thailand  have assessed the situation and recognized  the necessity of establishing  membership based organizations (MBOs). Implementation of this initiative is based on a common agreement  to work collectively  on a concrete work plan with guidelines to launch campaigns  along this direction.  The  regional networks  now also  carry the objective  to increase membership.  After one and half years of campaigning and organizing,  there are 1,600 MBO members paying an annual fee of 10 baht, and possessing an identification card.

A strategy  that contributes  to a successful output is providing  clear understanding of why membership based organizations can  help  in strengthening the network towards sustainability and empowerment of the members.  Moreover,  setting of clear goals, regulations,  and achievable plan of action for campaigns are contributory to the progress of HomeNet Thailand in the formation of  membership based organizations.  These homeworker leaders hope to achieve after attending the MBO workshop conducted by SEWA. They will strengthen their MBO  in all five regions,  finalize their Constitution and Bylaws and elect the members of their Board.

Every three months, MBO leaders  produce a newsletter by which members can follow activities of the network, can write articles or news, and join photo contests on the subject of informal workers. Also helping to consolidate membership  is the establishment of an affordable cremation scheme at national level, through which all contribute 10 baht to the family of any member who dies. As of now, there are 539 members.

Organizing for Advocacy

Homenet  Thailand has always been strong in advocating and realizing social protection for all.  It was instrumental in pushing the Thai government to provide universal health insurance . Thus, anyone who gets sick can be treated in hospital free of charge. Homenet Thailand has  also conducted a lot of training on occupational safety and health, using it as an entry point for organizing; it is in the process of developing models at the local level. In terms of Policy Campaign, an Action Research on elderly pension was supported by the Ministry of Finance. Other networks are enjoined to campaign for the law that would push for Government to provide allowance for retired individuals. They are advocating also for the revision of the tax system to generate and allocate sufficient budget for social welfare. On social security, HN Thailand is continuously campaigning for expanded coverage benefits from 3 to 5 dependents.

Homenet Thailand has always had  campaigns to raise knowledge and awareness on the situations and problems of informal and homebased workers. Studies and researches were conducted to support policy advocacy. HomeNet Thailand and the Ministry of Labor both agreed to push a HBWs Bill to protect labor rights by specifically providing for minimum wages and social protection, including occupational safety and health.  Several versions of this Bill have been discussed in Parliament, and a final version is due to be enacted soon. If the political turmoil does not worsen, the Homeworkers’ Act will soon be passed.

Last but not least, Homenet Thailand is now working with youth who will ensure the future.