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Read the following story by Yvonne Bohwongprasert from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.

For migrant workers in Thailand, finding good employment and improving their job prospects has traditionally been very difficult. But a new programme offers hope for a better future.

PROMISED OPPORTUNITIES

The project Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skills Development and Enhanced Job Placement in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (PROMISE) works to promote better employment opportunities and working conditions for migrants. It was implemented by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation.

PROMISE has played an important role in improving employment opportunities for migrant workers in Thailand. Launched last year, the programme aims to provide migrants with technical skills for work in in-demand industries, namely construction, manufacturing and hospitality. Sixty migrants have so far benefited from the training sessions.

A BETTER FUTURE

For Myanmar migrant Kyaw Kyaw Thu (Joey), success has largely been due to hard work, the support of friends and capitalising on opportunities that came his way. Today, the 24-year-old manages the upmarket restaurant Seven Spoons. He says that he often finds his current situation strange when he thinks of his past struggles.

Joey came to Thailand on foot with his mother when he was just 16. Sneaking across the border, they had few possessions and an uncertain future. Through the help of friends, his mother found a job as a construction worker. Fear of getting caught by immigration kept them indoors.

After a few months, they were able to pay for the documents that would allow them to stay and work in Thailand legally. Since then, Joey has worked various jobs. His eagerness to learn has earned him many friends, who in turn have offered him work.

WORK TO DO

Nang San Dip, 42, is a native of Shan state, just north of the Thai border in northeastern Myanmar.

“I came to Bangkok and got a job as a domestic helper. The first two families I worked with were foreign and the third one, who I’ve been with for over five years now, are Thai. I have little to complain about. I have food, accommodation and enough money to be able to send some home.

“As a migrant domestic worker, the only problem I face is that we’re expected to work around the clock, unlike our Thai counterparts. Finding good employers is not easy, so I try not to let this get me down,” she said.

“Myanmar workers are known to be hard working, so there are enough jobs to go around for us. The problem is more about getting good employers. If you don’t get a good employer, they can make your life miserable.”

GREAT HELP

Nang has benefited greatly from the PROMISE project.

“The IOM programme has been tremendous for me, especially the class where I was taught first aid. As a domestic worker, I believe this will come in handy. I really enjoyed participating in the classes on housekeeping because I learned a lot, such as the importance of sanitation,” she said.

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Section 1

Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.

1. What is the article about?

a. The difficulties of migrant workers in Thailand.
b. Improving job opportunities for migrant workers in Thailand.
c. Training sessions run by a Swiss hotel.

2. What does Joey do at the moment?

a. He’s a domestic worker.
b. He’s a restaurant manager.
c. He’s a construction worker.

3. When did Joey come to Thailand?

a. Two years ago.
b. Five years ago.
c. Eight years ago.

4. Where does Nang come from?

a. Northern Thailand.
b. Northern Myanmar.
c. Northeastern Myanmar.

5. How old is Nang?

a. 24 years old.
b. 42 years old.
c. 52 years old.

6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?

a. The PROMISE project aims to boost Thailand’s image abroad.
b. The project was launched eight years ago.
c. The project focuses on developing skills in three main industries.

7. Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the article?

a. Nang worked for foreign families.
b. Joey’s first job was as a construction worker.
c. Nang says that Myanmar workers are expected to work harder than Thais.

Section 2

Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.

8. upmarket	a. wanted by a lot of people
9. in-demand	b. a person or thing that has the same position or function as somebody or something else in a different place or situation
10.implement	c. to make something that has been officially decided start to happen or be used
11.counterpart	d. something that is difficult for you to do or achieve
12. struggle	e. in a way that involves buying or selling goods and services that are expensive and of high quality

   

Section 3

Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.

The …..13….. restaurant manager has proved to himself and …..14….. fellow migrant workers that hard work pays off. Smart and outgoing, his determination and perseverance has …..15….. him the trust of his …..16….. through the years, including his …..17….. one at Seven Spoons, where he has …..18….. manager for two years. He has 12 people …..19….. his supervision.

13.

a. diligent  
b. diligence  
c. diligently

14.

a. he  
b. him   
c. his

15.

a. earning  
b. earn   
c. earned

16.

a. employers 
b. employer  
c. employee

17.

a. current  
b. currents  
c. currently

18.

a. a   
b. been  
c. to

19.

a. above  
b. within  
c. under

Section 4

Write down the adjective forms of the following words used in the story.

20. problem

……………………

21. document

……………………

22. eagerness

……………………

23. condition

……………………

24. benefit

……………………

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Answers

Section 1

1. b.
2. b.
3. c.
4. c.
5. b.
6. c.
7. b.

Section 2

8. e.
9. a.
10. c.
11. b.
12. d.

Section 3

13. a.
14. c.
15. c.
16. a.
17. a.
18. b.
19. c.

Section 4

20. Problematic.
21. Documented.
22. Eager.
23. Conditional.
24. Beneficial.

SCORE

21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!