PROMISE: Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skills Development and Enhanced Job Placement

Labour migration to Thailand has increased considerably over the last decades, filling the gap due to the internal labour shortage. The number of migrants from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar is estimated at 4 million people. However, their working and living conditions are often precarious and their status in Thailand not legalized. Women, who account for nearly 50% of all migrant workers, are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Better skills and knowledge about safer migration will improve their living conditions and the developmental impact back home.

Migrants, especially women, from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (CLM) have improved employment opportunities and conditions in Thailand, through enhanced skills and protection, leading to poverty reduction in communities of origin. 

Migrant workers in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar, Employers in Thailand, Training providers in CLMT, Recruitment agencies in CLM. Concerned Government ministries and agencies in CLMT. It is estimated, that under PROMISE nearly 300,000 prospective and returned migrants will be reached over 4 years through the different components of the project.

1. RESPONSIVE: Migrant workers, especially women, are able to utilize decent employment and safe migration schemes through enhanced collaboration between potential employers, relevant sector associations and skills development partners.
2. INCLUSIVE: Migrant workers, especially women, enjoy greater access to skills development in target sectors through affirmative action, leading to improved employability abroad and at home.
3. PROTECTIVE: Migrant workers, especially women, receive greater protection through strengthened policy frameworks, enhanced assistance services and safe migration information at all stages of the migration cycle.

Resultados previstos:  

• Enhanced capacities of skills providers to deliver migrant-centred, gender-sensitive and market-responsive training courses
• Enhanced access of migrant workers, particularly female, to tailored skills development programmes and job placement
• Enhanced certification and referral mechanisms to support reintegration of returning migrant workers
• Evidence based and gender-responsive policies on labour migration and protection of migrants are developed and promoted
• Enhanced access of migrant workers to effective and gender-responsive Safe Migration Services

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

During the inception phase (under the old frame credit) IOM has carried out extensive studies in CLMT and has established links to employers in Thailand. A first pilot provided 40 women in Laos with skills allowing them to apply for jobs at home or in Thailand. The following lessons have informed the design for the phase:  

• Labour migration to Thailand is a significant poverty reduction strategy for marginalised people.
• The vast majority of migrants in Thailand start irregularly, due to the costly and time consuming recruitment procedures.
• Vocational skills development (VSD) systems in CLM are not inclusive of migrant workers or responsive to the needs of the Thai labour market.
• Employers value soft skill, which can also be means to better protection.

Governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand, UN-Women, ILO, DFAT.

Skills Development Programme Cambodia, VSDP Project in Myanmar, VELA and “Skills for Tourism” projects in Lao PDR, Regional activities of the GPMD.

TRIANGLE II and ASEAN-TRIANGLE implemented by ILO, ASEAN Forum on migrant labour (AFLM).

Fase 1 01.11.2015 - 31.08.2021   (Completed)