Myanmar workers have rights violated and face discrimination in Thailand: AAC
Some Myanmar workers with factory jobs in Thailand under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) have had their labour rights violated, have not been paid and face discrimination, with some being sacked for no reason, according to the Thailand-based Aid Alliance Committee (AAC).
Since the beginning of May, hundreds of Myanmar workers at factories and workshops in Thailand faced dismissal, were not paid, or were suspended from their jobs without reason.
Most workers already suffered difficulties over food and shelter when seeking a new job, according to the AAC.
“MoU Myanmar workers – 18 females and a male – arrived in our office seeking help. They resigned from their factory because they didn’t get their salaries for about two or three months,” said Ye Min from AAC.
In recent days, although a factory owner said those working at the Pineapple Canned Factory in the Pran Buri town would get three days’ wages, no workers received the money they were due.
More than 180 workers held a protest over payment of wages after taking a half-day’s leave. However, Myanmar workers had stopped working as the factory owner demanded Bt2 million compensation.
Nearly 100 workers out of over 180 who stopped working were sheltering at a monastery and faced difficulties getting food.
Ye Min said that labour diplomats from Myanmar embassy in Thailand had many weak points as they didn’t settle labour disputes. Likewise, employment agencies have no responsibility for seeking a new job.
“ We came to Thailand through MoU. Now, we have no new job over 15 days long. We called the employment agency but they can’t exactly say. The agency told us to find a new job. But, it is failed. We have no money to buy a food,” said Mi Mi.
The Ministry of Immigration and Population reported that there were over 100,000 workers in Thailand.