By: Suntaree H. Saeng-ging, HomeNet Southeast Asia Executive Director
In May 2026, HomeNet Thailand (HNT) worked with allied worker movements to mobilize a coordinated May Day campaign in Thailand, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protection and recognition of informal economy workers.
- HNT, together with the Federation of Informal Workers and the Thai Labour & Solidarity Confederation, mobilized a march in Bangkok in front of Government House and the UN Office. One of HNT’s key demands this year was for the state to recognize extreme heat as a public disaster and adopt concrete measures to reduce climate-related risks for informal economy workers. These measures should include heat monitoring, prevention and risk-reduction strategies for heat-related illness, adequate rest periods, access to clean drinking water, cooling facilities, protective equipment, and social security benefits to compensate for income lost on days when workers are unable to work due to extreme heat.
- The Northeast Network of HNT, together with the NGOCORD–Northeast NGO Coordinating Committee, organized the event “Northeast May Day, All Workers, We Are United!” Participants included home-based workers from HNT, platform workers, women domestic workers, construction workers, and Thai agricultural workers who had migrated to Sweden for berry picking but were not paid their wages. The day’s activities included a march and a panel discussion in which each group of informal economy workers shared their experiences and demands.
The demands of home-based workers focused on recognition and the expansion of social protection for all informal economy workers, including maternity protection, as well as improved implementation and enforcement of the Homeworkers Protection Act.
The report on this event, along with interviews with informal economy worker leaders, was broadcast on Thai PBS, the state public television channel.
