Complaints filed against Thai workers in Dawei

May Flower Mining Enterprises was granted permission to implement the Banchaung coal mining project on 2,100 acres of land near Kyunchaung Gyi village in the township. Thailand-based East Star Co Ltd already operated a coal mining project in the 60-acre No 2 plot by hiring workers through May Flower Mining Enterprises.

“We have already complained to the Dawei Township Immigration Department about 20 Thai workers who worked in the coal mining project on November 6. When the villagers inspected the project on November 9, they found that there were 11 new Thai workers who didn’t understand Myanmar language like the previous Thai workers. They have no work permits. We inquired the Immigration Office and found that they weren’t registered there. So we complained to the Immigration Department asking for action to be taken against them under the Immigration Law,” said Saw L Kalu Say.

He said the immigration department had a list of Thai workers who had worked in the Dawei Deep Sea Port Project, there was no list of Thai workers working in the Banchaung coal mining project. Entering Myanmar through Htee Khee border gate, the workers can get 14-day temporary visa. 

Myo Kyaw Thu, an immigration officer for Dawei Township, said that Kyi Win, project manager for East Star, told him the mine now hires four Thai workers who are in the process of renewing their business visas. 

"At present, we didn’t inspect the project area, which is under the control of Karen National Union (KNU). The regional Mines Department has a plan to inspect the area. We told the project manager to inform us if there are changes in accordance with rules and regulations,” he said.