Abstract
The Synthesis of Knowledge on Informal Workers The purpose of this study is to synthesize the body of knowledge of informal workers, funded by the Health Systems Research Institute, Thailand. The study aims to better understand the circumstance of informal workers and the impact on their health. Moreover, the study will be a guideline for policy recommendations and legal suggestions that are necessary for informal workers. Previous studies included in this review are of published and unpublished documents. This study concluded that there is not clear on definition and statistics of informal workers. Informal sector provides many benefits to country both at macro and micro levels. However, informal workers still face with a lot of problems such as unclear status, unsecured work conditions, inappropriate work environment, lack of enhancing their skill, low income, no social and legal protection, lack of responsible organization. In addition, important health problems are risk and dangerous work, health problems related to work conditions, rush work, and long period of work, lack of adequate health information, lack of social insurance. In terms of law, informal workers do not include in the relationship between employer and employee system. Therefore, they could not get any benefit of social insurance. They are applied with commercial legal system that has a weakness point since partners of agreement can agree, by themselves. This study proposed policy recommendations and identifies areas that require further research. These recommendations are offered to enhance, develop and protect the quality of life for informal workers, as well as a guideline for their welfare. They may lead to improve the health care system and enhance appropriated health insurance for informal workers and their families.
