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Thailand and Malaysia: Powered by migrants

Around a fifth of the workforce in both countries come from abroad. But it's not always an easy option.

Around a fifth of the workforce in both come from abroad.

That’s much more than in most high income countries - and these workers are key to powering growth and economic development.

However as we hear, life can be incredibly difficult for migrant workers in South East Asia.

Produced and presented by Ed Butler

(Image: A Myanmar migrant worker harvests chilies on the bank of the Moei River, which separates Thailand and Myanmar in July 2025. Credit: Getty Images)

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19 minutes

Last on

Thu 31 Jul 2025 07:32GMT

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  • Thu 31 Jul 2025 07:32GMT

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