In a joint statement, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) said that although migrants helped the economy, only half of Thais agreed they should enjoy the same working conditions.

To mark International Migrants Day today, the groups commissioned a random household survey of 4,148 Thais, conducted by Assumption University (Abac Poll) between November 25 and December 1, to get a better idea of Thai attitudes towards the increasing number of foreign workers.

Most respondents believed Thailand did not need migrant workers for sustaining its industrial and agricultural economy. About 58.6 per cent said the government should not admit more foreigners to work here, compared with only 9.7 per cent that believed otherwise.

Many believed that hiring more migrants would have a negative impact on Thai workers, making it more difficult for them to find a job, making employers value them less and forcing them to settle for lower wages.

When asked about equal working conditions for migrants, Thais seemed to agree on equal working hours and holidays, but not on equal wages. Compared with more than 75 per cent who agreed on equal working hours and holidays, only 40 per cent agreed with equal wages.

The respondents justified their response, in part, by adding that the wages migrants received in Thailand, even though lower than those of Thai workers, were still better than what the migrants earned in their home countries.

According to the poll, 67.3 per cent of respondents said migrant workers should not be able to apply for any job available in Thailand, while 50.3 per cent said migrants should not be provided with the same legal working conditions as Thais.

More than half (59.7 per cent) said migrant workers should not be allowed freedom of expression. About 77.3 per cent agreed that migrants should not have the right to form unions.

Most respondents, especially those who have been personally acquainted with migrant workers, indicated their belief that migrants are hard-working, but not honest and loyal.

On a positive note, the poll showed that Thai people do have sympathy towards migrant workers when they are abused by employers. Most respondents said they would report abuse to the police, government agencies and organisations and the media. Only 15.1 per cent said they would do nothing.

In a related development, labour activist Janya Yimprasert disclosed at a seminar yesterday that about 50 foreign migrants would today call on Labour Minister Apai Chandanachulaka to allow their representation in labour unions.

"Their pleas should be heeded," Janya said.

Janya said Burmese workers - whose number was estimated at over two million in Thailand - should be allowed to form their own unions or at least join the Thai unions so that they can together protect their rights.