The main issue working with migrant construction labor: a case study in Thailand
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 29 April 2021
Issue publication date: 8 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study and prioritize the problems impacted on construction work together migrant laborers, by using the Delphi technique. The case study is construction work in Bangkok and metropolitan zones, Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework of the perceived issues caused by working with migrant construction labors especially migrant construction laborers from neighboring countries were identified from literature reviews. The issue list was sent to 162 experts seeking for their opinions. Subsequently, a questionnaire was created from 58 items of suitable issue lists according to expert's opinions. The questionnaires were then submitted to 147 respondents from construction contractor companies. Their responses were calculated and prioritized by means of the Delphi technique
Findings
The polling data showed its constancy on the second round of survey. There were 34 out of 58 items passed consensus criteria. The issue “Foreman obtained incompetent or inadequate trained migrant labors when relocate them from/to other site or job” ranked 1st in priority ranking with the average score of 4.56. Subproblems were appropriately prioritized according to their mean scores.
Practical implications
The results of this research were expected to facilitate construction operators in making appropriate decisions and primary solution concerning main issue factors in working with migrant labors, in order to help even more increasing competition efficiency in Thai construction industries.
Originality/value
The research provides a list of main issue occurred in the case study. These outcomes are also expected to provide important information for other case studies on the issue working with migrant construction labor.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was fully supported fund by Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon (RMUTP). The authors greatly thank the Thai Contractors Association Under H.M. The King’s Patronage who helped the authors to find the list of construction contractor companies member in Thailand. The authors are grateful to 162 experts who helped to consider and recommend suitable things in this research. Including, the authors really appreciate 147 respondents who helped to evaluate the questionnaire and provide useful opinions for this research.
Citation
Kongchasing, N. and Sua-iam, G. (2022), "The main issue working with migrant construction labor: a case study in Thailand", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 1715-1730. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2020-0376
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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