STM Article Repository

The study examines issues of gender relations and the use of ICTs for economic activities among women homeworkers in Thailand’s digital economy. Home-based work (subcontracted work to be done at home) is widespread in all regions of Thailand. Most homeworkers use their houses as the workplace for producing textiles and garments, wood products, basketry, artificial flower making, food processing, leather goods and plastics, metal products and jewelry, and then deliver them to the employers or business mediators. This is not the same as production for direct sale. In 2007, the National Statistical Office (NSO) reported that out of the 249,290 households, there were 440,251 people earning their livelihoods through homeworking. Of this number, 337,526 or slightly more than three quarters of them were women and 102,725 were men similar to NSO, 2019 found more than half of Thai women are under the informal economy track. This study builds on previous research conducted in 2006 on the status of women homeworkers in Thailand and their use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to promote economic empowerment and generate new income opportunities. Social and community development that allows for participatory approaches to local development and management, including the revival and transmission of Thai cultural diversity, such as way of life, customs, values and local wisdom. Since 2006, Thailand has undergone numerous social, economic, and political changes. Acknowledging the problems homeworkers face, in 2010, the Thai Parliament passed the Homeworkers Protection Act B.E. 2553 and a social protection policy came into force in 2011 till currently. The law mandates fair wages, including equal pay for men and women doing the same job. Even though this Act is in effect, most homeworkers are still not aware of their legal rights and keep working under unfair conditions. The enabling and disabling environments for women who work from home will be discussed in this research study, along with the awareness and capacity of these individuals to improve their circumstances, as well as their access to and management of resources for using ICT to grow their businesses in Thailand's rapidly expanding digital economy. It will also look at how women use ICT for gender equality, as well as how these initiatives affect gender governance and women's economic empowerment.