Migrant Mother: a documentary by Lanna Project and the Northern Labour Network

Kyin Nyunt and Moe Hseng are two Shan migrant workers and single mothers living in Chiang Mai. Having lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic, they are trying to survive. Moe Hseng is now a construction worker, while Kyin Nyunt and her son collect scraps for sale and take on cleaning jobs.

Despite contributing to the Social Security Fund like Thai nationals, Moe Hseng is not able to receive compensation from the government’s “Rao Rak Kan” scheme, a relief scheme for full-time employees insured under the Social Security Act. Meanwhile, Moe Hseng has to pay a large amount of money for visa and work permit extension to be allowed to legally stay in Thailand – a fee which has never been reduced or waived for migrant workers throughout the pandemic.

Both mothers are trying to survive and keep their children in school, despite the lack of assistance from the Thai government.