BSI 1st Issue

Newsletter

Welcome to the first issue of the Building Social Impact Newsletter, where we highlight recent developments and initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of workers and their families in construction site camps and overall social sustainability in the PropCon sector. 

We hope it will be a space for members and supporters of the BSI community to keep up with the current happenings within the Building Social Impact (BSI) Initiative.

Behind the positive commitment and action from BSI companies are people. We started this newsletter to shed light on the profound impact that changes in construction companies' practices can have on individuals and families.

CASE STORY

The workers are the heart of the construction work, and so are their families living in the construction site camps. This one case story involves M., a mother residing in a construction camp with her two children. With the construction companies receiving training from the BSI Initiative, they supported M.'s endeavor to enroll her eldest daughter in school, advocating for her right to education. Despite setbacks, including relocation and logistical hurdles, M. and the construction company persisted in her pursuit. Eventually, with collaborative efforts involving the camp manager, the BSI team, and the accommodating company, M. successfully enrolled both daughters in school. Reflecting on this journey, companies being able to ensure the well-being of their workers directly impacts their productivity, and they are more likely to give their best efforts, ultimately benefiting current construction projects. Simple actions can enhance the overall social responsibility and sustainability of construction projects, laying the groundwork for long-term positive impacts on people, society, and businesses.

milestones

1. bma (bangkok Metropolitan Administration) meeting

Regulators play a crucial role in facilitating workers' integration and welfare, complementing companies' efforts. Recently, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and BSI Initiative met to explore potential collaboration, to better connect health and education service providers to the construction site camps.  Joining us were the Governor of Bangkok, the Deputy Governor, and representatives from BMA's Department of Health, Public Works, and Social Development. 

The Bangkok Governor expressed a keen interest in leveraging the expertise of external partners, such as the BSI, to bolster these connections, citing examples like streamlined health checks. Emphasizing the potential for a powerful collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), public regulators, and the private sector was a recurring theme.

 With the support of the BSI Initiative, interesting BMA projects could be adapted to benefit the construction sector in Bangkok. Among these projects, the following one showed important potential projects presented: 

  1. Electronic Health Record (EHR) links patients' medical records affiliated with registered health service providers - drugstores, community centers, clinics, health service centers, and hospitals - across seven zones of the BMA. This could be particularly relevant for workers and their children, considering their geographical mobility due to the nature of the construction work. While moving from one site to another and changing from one health service provider to another, workers could keep their digital health records. The good news is that BMA currently hosts a health check-up program with an intended outreach of 1 million people.

  2. Mobile health-up station - BMA develops a service of free health checks offered through a mobile health clinic. This system helps bring health prevention closer to vulnerable groups. This could particularly be suitable for communities of migrant workers and their children. It would offer an opportunity to improve preventive health within construction camps and better connect this population to the health system. This service would perfectly align with the BSI Initiative as it would benefit people, companies, and society!

  3. Bangkok Health Map (BHM) - is a database that identifies health service providers across Bangkok. This information could be valuable for workers relocated to the next camp. Construction companies could utilize this database to inform their workers of the hospital they should visit in case of need, along with details on the type of services they are entitled to receive. Ensuring workers have good access to healthcare would directly contribute to increasing the social sustainability of construction companies!

  4. Access to school - The same approach could be envisaged for the school enrollment of workers' children. BMA reaffirmed its commitment to better enforce the Education for All Policy. Schools under the BMA administration could soon become more flexible in enrolling children of construction workers, even outside registration periods. The BSI team will continue discussions with the Department of Education in that regard.

  5. Bangkok Risk Map (BKK Risk Map) shows areas of risk such as flooding, fire, and pollution. Some good information when it comes to setting up a construction camp and mitigating potential risks.

  6. Health insurance: Affordable health insurance is a key driver to increase workers' connection to the health system and guarantee access to healthcare.  BMA reaffirmed that migrant workers may purchase the Migrant Health Insurance Card (MHIC) at any BMA hospital and receive care from all 69 health service centers in Bangkok.  

2. Thai Contractors Association (TCA) meeting

On February 21st, the BSI team participated in TCA Talk, a conference organized by the Thai Contractors Association (TCA). The construction sector's ESG performance and sustainability were at the heart of the discussion. Our BSI Director was invited to share about the BSI Initiative and how companies that are BSI members can boost the 'S' of ESG and position themselves at the forefront of social sustainability.

3. strategic partnership meeting

Members of the BSI community and social experts gathered to facilitate discussion amongst our existing network and welcome potential members to the BSI Strategic Partnership Meeting. The event began with a recapitulation of BSI's goals alongside recognition of growing interest in social sustainability from both the public and private sectors. The BSI Initiative research team then presented their findings from field studies conducted in the construction site camps of BSI members to underscore the value of investing in the social aspect of ESG principles. Two main takeaways are that companies face higher social risks by subcontracting and that workers value the most assistance in legal documentation, timely payments, translations, and transportation support to healthcare providers. In the second session, three graduates of the BSI initiative - Syntec, Visavapat, and Thai Polycons - took to the stage to share their experiences using the BSI toolkit to identify gaps in their implementation of social sustainability measures. Lastly, this event was a safe space for participants to share tips and tricks for better camp management, workforce management, and improved labor retention.

4. SEC and SET (WHA Corporation PCL Shout out)

For the 9th consecutive year, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC), and UN Women co-organized the World Federation of Exchanges's Ring The Bell initiative, advocating for gender equality in value chains. During the panel discussion titled “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2024”, WHA Corporation Public Company Limited CFO Natthaphat Tanboonek acknowledged WHA's impactful partnership with the BSI Initiative and highlighted the relevance of the Building Social Impact Initiative tools and framework in addressing gender inequality in construction camps. 

THE BSI INITIATIVE COMMUNITY IS GROWING

We are delighted to announce that Fraser Property (Thailand), T. Peeragrich Company Ltd, Christiani & Nielsen (Thai) Public Company Limited, BSY Construction Company Limited, and Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited recently joined the BSI Initiative. This marks the first step in their journey to build stronger social sustainability, enhancing the welfare of construction workers and their children within their respective supply chains.

"Prioritizing the well-being and happiness of workers and children in established camps is essential for enhancing work efficiency and overall quality of life. When workers are content and free from worries about their children's welfare, their job satisfaction increases, leading to improved work performance."

— Mr. Somboon Wasinchutchawal, Acting CEO of Frasers Property Home (Thailand) Public Company Limited

"The camp in our area has limitations, and interestingly, most workers are foreigners, predominantly Burmese and Cambodians. Ensuring their well-being is essential and correct in the terms of the law, but there is occasional confusion regarding their rights. Some may not fully comprehend their rights or other related matters, even though they are entitled to basic behavioral rights similar to Thai individuals. It's observed that a few individuals might be hesitant to assert their rights due to various reasons, such as fear or uncertainty about the consequences. Encouraging them to voice their concerns and make suggestions could lead to a more confident workforce, ensuring they know their rights and entitlements while working in Thailand."

— Mr. Somchai Jittavisutthivong, Director from BSY Group Public Company Limited

"High quality of life is a universal need. We believe it extends not only to office workers but also construction workers under our care."

— Mr. Chakorn Heampukdee,  Senior Manager, Business Unit 2 of Christiani & Nielsen (Thai) Public Company Limited

"Children are the future"

— Mr. Mongkol Peerasantikul, Managing Director of Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited

"The objective is to guarantee a well-kept and organized living environment for workers and their families in the camp. BSI, a non-profit, provides guidance and support in camp management without pursuing financial gains. This collaborative effort ensures workers access effective and hygienic accommodation, promoting a positive and well-organized living experience within the camp."

— Mr. Preeraphat Phurichan, Managing Director of

T. Peeragrich CO., LTD

upcoming opportunities

We plan to hold a strategic partnership meeting for real estate developers in the upcoming quarter. Stay tuned for new updates.

Thank you

Lastly, we would like to thank all 20 BSI members and the other companies expressing interest in joining the Initiative. The growth of the BSI community signifies our collective dedication to fostering strong social sustainability, ultimately benefiting workers, children, businesses, and society as a whole.

Building better lives, together.

Photo credits:
©Baan Dek Foundation
©Thai Contractors Association (TCA)