Free Movement of Workers in an Economic Community:Germany and Thailand

The book examines the perspective of Thailand as a host country on the future free movement of workers in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will be established by 2015, focusing on unskilled workers from Cambodia, given that in the AEC only the free movement of skilled workers will be permitted at least initially. It investigates Thailand’s perception of economic, demographic and social impacts that could result from the possible future free movement of workers. Future push and pull factors behind the migration movement from Cambodia to Thailand are also considered. In addition, lessons that Thailand could learn from Germany after the EU Eastern enlargement in 2004 are examined. The study is a qualitative study using data obtained from desk reviews, in-depth-interviews with government officials, experts, NGOs, employers, workers and migrant workers in Rayong province, Bangkok and Munich conducted from March to May 2012.