Returning home for poll

More than 500,000 migrant workers in Thailand may go back to their homes across Myanmar to vote in the 2015 general elections set for November 8, said a Mae Sot-based migrant leader.
Ko Aye, office and case manager of MakFoundation, said that thousands have already asked employers for leave during November 5-9.
“I cannot see any other reason than going home for polls,” he said.
Myanmar authorities estimate about 4 million migrants live overseas; but only about 30,000 registered for advance voting last month.
From about 3 million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, Ko Aye calculated two million to be eligible voters. He admitted many have lost their chance to vote due to lack of awareness in the election.
“The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok did not raise awareness in advance voting or tell its citizens here about voting. So, hundreds of workers did not understand what to do,” he said.
Mae Sot is home to more than 170,000 migrant workers, but only about 70,000 are properly registered. Most come from neighbouring towns like Myawady and cross the border with a one-day pass.
Zayar Min, who has been living in Mae Sot for more than a decade, said that migrant workers were always keeping an eye on developments back home. Displeased with the government’s approval to set the minimum wage, he said the Ks3,600 rate was inadequate.
“We are not greedy. But Ks 3,600 will never be sexy to any migrant worker here. We thought of going home many times. But we could not. That is why elections are a ray of hope for us. We need a new government who can create more opportunities for us. We will warmly welcome whoever can lead our country to the next level. We definitely need a change,” he said.
Zin Le’ Kyaw, another worker, said that she would definitely go to the nearest poll station on November 8, as she wanted to see some significant changes in the next government term. “I cannot lose my vote. To me, it is more than just a vote. Perhaps a single vote like mine may bring a big change in history. Who knows?” she said.
Not all migrants are upbeat about the election, though.
Lamin Lay,29, happily works as an assistant at a shop selling blankets, carpets, and slippers. A resident of Taikkyi, she formerly worked at a garment factory in Yangon. She moved here three years ago and obtained a pink card, an official document which must be renewed every year. Her Thai boss is a descendant of a Shan family, who provides her with bed and food. Lamin Lay ably saves her Bt5,000 salary – doubling what she earned at the Yangon factory. Each month she sends home Ks150,000 (about Bt4,200).
Lamin Lay will not return home for the vote, saying she is the only staff member at the shop.
Asked if she would return home one day if the working environment improved under the new government, she said she preferred living in Mae Sot.