Background - Migrant Workers in Thailand

ARAKAN WORKERS’ UNION (AWU)

Mae Sot, Thailand    

Everyday, hundreds of impoverished Burmese people cross the porous Thailand border in the desperate hope of earning some money to send back home to their families. Due to poverty, suppression and a lack of education in Burma, most of them arrive illegally without immigration documents or work-permits. If caught, they risk detention, deportation and fines from the Thai police. In some cases, detained migrants suffer physical abuse from police and are forced to pay bribes to corrupt officials and brokers for their release. Those that manage to locate work in Thailand often find themselves working in garment factories, agriculture and construction sites. Migrant workers are often employed to do the

work that the Thai people WILL NOT DO. Unscrupulous employers take advantage of their desperation and illegal status. Human rights abuses in the work place are common and migrant workers are rarely paid the minimum wage, as required under Thailand’s labour law. As an example: Thailand’s minimum wage (for Mae Sot Province) is currently (162) Thai Baht per day. But most migrant workers are only paid between 50-80 Baht p/day. The law requires that all workers receive one day off p/week, however this is rarely the case for migrant workers. Some receive only one day off per month.

Many garment factories employ over 5,000 workers (mostly women), who are forced to live on the premises in overcrowded, substandard conditions with poor quality food. Employers often confiscate their workers’ ID cards & documents, forcing them stay on-site as virtual prisoners. Living expenses are deducted from their meager wages and they are often forced to work extra shifts at night and on public holidays without adequate compensation. There are many documented violations of human rights, where employers have physically and mentally abused their workers. In extreme cases, migrant workers have been severely beaten or even murdered for speaking out against their employers. Widespread corruption amongst law enforcement officials ensures that many criminal complaints against employers

are quietly dropped. Whilst there are legal avenues and complaint procedures that workers can pursue, most fear being back-listed by employers and subsequent deportation to Burma.

AWU - Protecting the Rights of Migrants Workers

The Arakan Workers’ Union (AWU) was established in 2006. Its office is located in the town of Mae Sot, in the North West of Thailand, about 10kms from the Friendship Bridge border crossing to Burma. The word Arakan refers to the State of Arakan (or Rakhine), which is located in the far west of Burma, adjacent to the border with Bangladesh. Its ethnic people are known as the Arakanese of Burma (or Myanmar).

The AWU represents Burmese & Arakan ethnic migrant workers, especially those in the Mae Sot area, which has a large number of garment factories and agriculture sites. It advocates fair workplace rights on behalf of its members and also new migrants seeking work opportunities in Thailand.

                                 AWU - Our Mission

• Provide education to migrant workers regarding the labour laws of Thailand, human rights, workers’ rights, the rights of women and children, occupational health and safety issues, and the prevention of HIV.

• Provide new migrants with vocational training, temporary accommodation and advice regarding employment opportunities and workplace conditions.

• Encourage unity within the workforce, promote freedom of speech and offer a forum for discussion in order to resolve workplace issues.

• Offer legal advice and support to migrant workers who are experiencing violations of their rights, including physical abuse, intimidation, unfair dismissal, under payment of minimum wage, withholding of salary and substandard living conditions.

• Advocate the rights of migrant workers so they may work and live in Thailand with dignity and freedom. Without fear of discrimination and persecution.

• Preserve the culture and traditions of the Arakan people, whilst advocating for democracy and the protection of human rights in Myanmar.