Terms of Reference for Labor Relations Consultant (1 Position)

1. Executive Summary

Background to the Project

Thailand has been attracting low-skilled migrants from neighbouring countries for decades.  It hosts approximately 3.9 million documented and undocumented migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, and Myanmar. In this regard, it is assumed that 80% of them are Myanmar migrants. Tak province, is a common destination for Myanmar migrants due to flexibility of border management and the impact of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that create high demand of labour as well as the growth of agricultural sector. In Mae Sot, there are over 300 manufacturing factories locating in the district and it is seen as a pull-factor for migrants to come and seek better economic opportunities. However, migrant workers in the target areas, especially those work in agriculture sector encountered with different forms of exploitation and human rights violations, such as unpaid wages, document confiscation, prohibited from leaving their workplace, and police raids and threats. Migrants also reported experiencing verbal abuse and discrimination by employers based on their sex and nationality. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide range of risks already posed on migrant workers in Thailand. The pandemic is a magnifier of existing risks for migrant workers.  Poor living and working conditions, exploitative wages, migration-related debt and lack of gender-responsive labour protection mechanism all existed prior to the pandemic, but their negative effects are compounded by this unprecedented health and economic crisis. The pandemic has further exacerbated these vulnerabilities.  A recent assessment conducted by IOM from August to October 2022 found that migrant workers in Mae Sot, Tak Province are more vulnerable compared to workers in other four provinces surveyed. Lack of documentation was most prevalent in Tak (51%) followed by Ranong (16%). Employment levels were much lower among Myanmar migrant workers in Tak, with 36% of respondents reporting no work in the year prior compared 21% in Ranong. A majority (87%) of Myanmar nationals who worked throughout the year reported lacking an employer agreement defining their length of employment, working hours, wages, and entitlements.  Working without an agreement was most common in Tak (97%). Only 23% in Tak earning at least 315 THB per day compared to 76% in Ranong.  Respondents who travelled to Thailand for employment reasons paid an average of 4,700 THB (130 USD) per household member for migration cost. On top of migration cost, they have to pay high cost to get or renew their documentation, which is around 7,700 THB (210 USD) on average. In Mae Sot, the research conducted by Mekong Migration Network (MMN) found that the typical daily wage of a migrant agricultural workers was just THB120-150 (USD3.95-4.95) and the work was available only intermittently.  On this sub-minimum wage income it is extremely difficult for migrant agricultural workers to afford the thousands of baht required by the formal migration pathways (MMN, 2020). A combination of high migration and documentation cost while receiving below the minimum wage has created greater inequality and poverty.  Male respondents were recorded earning minimum wage or higher more commonly than female respondents (80% and 65%, respectively) according to the above assessment conducted by IOM. The gender pay gap is seen as a discriminatory method using against women workers whereas their contribution in Thailand economic growth is remarkable. 

This proposed action aims at addressing these issues by building on effective results from the previous EU-funding project called “CSO Development for the Promotion and Advancement of Migrant Rights” (CSO DPAMR) such as Factory Model Initiative, CSOs capacity development for migrant rights advocacy, legal assistance, and tripartite collaboration to address the issues related to labour/human rights violations. Significantly, the initiatives developed in this action, such as building capacities of the Mae Sot based actors (Federation of Thai Industries-FTI, Labour Protection Office-LPO, and Safety Officer Club-SOC) to improve workplace safety, strengthen capacities of CSO/CBOs working on legal protection, supporting Migrant Rights Promotion Working Group (MRPWG) to advance the existing advocacy roadmap, and continue working with the Migrant Worker Assistance Centre (MWAC) in Mae Sot will be utilized to achieve the project goal. 

Output of the project

1. Increased awareness of duty bearers and target employers about migrant labour/human rights; OP.
2. Strengthened capacities on labour laws and measures addressing access to legal protection of migrant workers from Mae Sot area against unfair labour practices.
3. Enhanced CSOs knowledge and skills for effective advocacy in migrant rights.
4. Enhanced opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among duty bearers, CSOs, and private sector for the improvement of the protection of labour rights for migrant workers.

Key Tasks of the Lead Consultant or Consulting Team

The individual consultant or the consulting team will undertake the following activities to provide consultation, advice, and guidance on utilizing the labor relations system to support the resolution of migrant workers' problems to the MAP's staff, including workers experiencing workplace conflicts.

Compile a report on activities for MAP.

Timeframe of the Consultancy

Depend on a case-by-case basis, as mutually agreed upon.

Products Expected from the Consultancy

The consultant (and team) will complete the task for the above-mentioned migrant workers and provide  with a report for monitoring the progress of accessing fundamental. 

Background of the Consultant

• Expertise in labor relations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in labor relations consulting.
• Possession of a consultant license under the Labor Relations Act B.E. 2518 (1975).
• Interest in migrant labor issues

Service Fee

The consultant and MAP will be paid on a case-by-case basis, as mutually agreed upon.

Submission of Application

• Applications should be submitted no later than 28 March 2025.
• Applications in the English or Thai language, including i) a resume of not more than 3 pages; ii) a cover letter; iii) a brief proposal to describe how this consultancy will be carried out; iv) contact details of 2 references should be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Labor Relations Consultant". Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.