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COVID, coup, and crises of social reproduction: exploring the effects of Myanmar’s polycrisis on migrant workers in global seafood production networks in Thailand

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: COVID-19 and Myanmar’s 2021 military coup are worsening crises of social reproduction in Myanmar by disrupting educational institutions and households’ livelihoods. This polycrisis is generating a new supply of migrant labour and reconfiguring the socio-economic statuses of workers in global seafood production networks in Thailand. I argue that the Thai seafood industry and buyers in seafood GPNs are benefitting from a polycrisis-generated supply of labour. This study shows that production is not only supported by the social reproduction of workers, but also by crises of social reproduction that contribute to the making of a potential and precarious workforce.

Source: Journal of Economic Geography

DOI: 10.1093/jeg/lbag005

Author: Carli Melo

Institution: York University

Language: English

Topic: Global trade, sustainability, and social impact

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,638