ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the major benefits and costs of Middle East labor migration, is based primarily on data collected in a field survey conducted in late 1981 by the Wages and Employment Planning Sector of the National Economic and Social Development Board, as well as other studies. Many of the results must be regarded as preliminary, because of the limited availability of reliable data. The chapter aims to expand knowledge of the overall impact, both social and economic, of Thai overseas employment to benefit planning, the implementation of programs, and future research. Thailand is a predominantly agricultural country. About 30 percent of its gross domestic product comes from agriculture and about 70 percent of total employment is in the agricultural sector. Thailand has been facing serious unemployment problems in all forms. There are a number of negative impacts stemming from overseas employment. The most serious adverse consequences are practices of “cheating” by unscrupulous recruitment agencies.
