Labour rights activist Sriprai Nonsee, from our partner Rangsit Labour Union Group (RLUG), reports that factories in Pathum Thani’s Rangsit area are making pregnancy tests part of pre-employment screenings, especially via subcontractors. Women who test positive are denied jobs or later dismissed during probation. Employers rarely admit pregnancy discrimination, instead citing failed evaluations or sidelining women until they resign. Fearing unemployment, many seek abortions and end up in informal, low-paid work while waiting to reapply. Migrant workers face even harsher restrictions, including confiscated documents and limits on movement.
Thai law bans firing workers for pregnancy and requires reassignment plus limits on night, overtime, and weekend work, and a law to increase paid maternity leave to 120 days is in progress. But gaps leave subcontracted and probationary workers exposed, consent forms deter complaints, union space is shrinking, and complex, costly court processes impede justice. As an abortion access counsellor, Sriprai says termination should be voluntary, not driven by economic pressure. She urges stronger hiring-stage protections and wage rises so women can keep their jobs and have children
