tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589907773422545692024-03-05T19:57:05.539-08:00Myanmar Labour NotesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-88606036568899791192016-08-15T08:35:00.000-07:002016-08-15T08:35:30.739-07:00NLD's economic "blueprint" and income inquality in Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The increasing polarity in this country needs to be tackled
immediately, especially between the rich and poor, as the gap between
them has been growing. If it's not tackled, it could derail our
long-term quest for democracy," said Maung Maung Lay.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Some see the policy paper as little different from what was pursued under the previous administration of Thein Sein. "The difference is we'll implement it, unlike the previous government," said Hanthar Myint, an NLD economic adviser and a member of the new national economic coordinating committee under the president. The policy document includes a commitment to develop a skilled workforce to fill the jobs created in the manufacturing and services sectors. To support this goal, the government plans improvements in healthcare and education, especially vocational training. "The country's human resources and capacity is very weak," said Maung Maung Lay. "We desperately need to develop more vocational training." This is the key to future economic development, according to Zaw Naing, CEO of Mandalay Technologies and founder of the Myanmar Business Executives Association. Vocational training centres are urgently needed to produce engineers and craftsmen -- electricians, carpenters and plumbers -- and hotel management schools, according to Zaw Naing. "While we cannot compare with Singapore and its service-oriented training, we can provide technically trained people to support the growth of the manufacturing sector," he said... "We have to create jobs to absorb the unemployed workers, especially those laid off recently from the suspended construction projects," he said. The need for jobs is even more important in light of plans to encourage thousands of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand to return home as the economy improves. Another part of the job-creation scheme is to push on with the Special Economic Zones established under the previous government. Attracting foreign investment is also crucial, said Hanthar Myint, mentioning the garment sector in particular. But he conceded that labour unrest and strikes, which seem to be on the increase, may discourage some investors... Food security needs to be guaranteed as soon as possible, according to the government's economic policy. The agriculture sector still contributes 40% of the country's GDP, while employing 70% of the labour force. This has to be rectified as quickly as possible, says the NLD economic team. "Seventy percent of the people in Myanmar are poor. Only if we create a living for them can we develop the country," said Kyaw Win.<br />
<br />
"<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1061860/myanmars-new-economic-blueprint" target="_blank">Myanmar's new economic blueprint</a>," Bangkok Post, 14 August 2016</blockquote>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-33808150462769377362016-08-09T06:56:00.000-07:002016-08-09T06:57:05.617-07:00Gov responses to allegations of "legal human trafficking"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Migrant rights activists who accused the government of operating a “legal” human trafficking pipeline must face punishment for speaking out of line, Thai and Myanmar labour officials have said.
The two rights groups, the Myanmar Association in Thailand (MAT) and the Aid Alliance Committee for Myanmar workers (AAC), last week compared the formal, sanctioned channels for sending Myanmar labourers overseas via memoranda of understanding to exploitative human smuggling rings.<br />
<a name='more'></a>
The analogy has been made before, including by European non-profits Finnwatch and Swedwatch who last year found that the MoU route abroad is often just as corrupt, fee-inducing and negligent of the workers’ rights as the illicit networks. But this time, the comparison hit a nerve.
Labour officials in both Thailand and Myanmar rebuked the agencies, and promised penalties would be forthcoming, though the nature of the recourse remains unclear.
“We have long been sympathetic to these groups because they helped workers with a constructive intention. But now, their activities have gone too far. Their remarks have violated the spirit of our MoU contract between our two countries,” U Myo Aung, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population said yesterday.
“We have to take action against these two groups,” he added.
The rights organisations yesterday resigned from a migrant workers protection committee that had been formed by the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.
“We have just resigned [yesterday] because we found that embassy didn’t protect us while we were working to better migrant affairs,” said Ko Ye Min, a leader of the AAC.
Yesterday, local media outlet 7Day reported that the Thai Labour Ministry planned to arrest the leaders of both activist groups for defamation.
Both Ko Ye Min and U Kyaw Thaung, director of the Myanmar Association in Thailand, denied the report.
“That news isn’t true. I just contacted the DSI [Thai Department of Special Investigation] on Saturday [August 6]. They told me they have no plan to arrest us. But they have ordered an investigation into to our allegations about migrant brokers and the Myanmar government colluding, to determine if it is true or not,” said U Kyaw Thaung.
U Kyaw Thaung added that both groups will suspend their projects for the moment.
The group leaders have been facing threats on their life from a gang of human traffickers because they helped rescue many Myanmar victims from that network, U Kyaw Thaung told The Myanmar Times on August 8.
He added that both the Myanmar overseas employment agencies and Thailand are angry that MAT and AAC revealed the unfair and dishonest treatment many workers confront when going abroad via the legally touted agencies.
The Myanmar embassy in Thailand said no one was available to comment on the issue yesterday.
</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21832-labour-officials-to-take-action-against-rights-workers-for-legal-human-trafficking-remarks.html">Labour officials to take action against rights workers for ‘legal human trafficking’ remarks</a>," Myanmar Times, 9 August 2016
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-16969505424194839882016-08-08T08:29:00.002-07:002016-08-08T08:30:16.788-07:00Migrant labour MoU as “legal human-trafficking”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thailand and Myanmar must agree on a migrant worker system that does not functionally result in “legal human-trafficking”, activists said at a press conference last week.<br />
<br />
The remark ignited a scuffle with owners of overseas employment agencies who disputed allegations that their business model is barely a cut above black-market human smugglers’.<br />
<a name='more'></a>At the August 2 press conference in Yangon, activists from Aide Alliance Committee for Myanmar Workers (AAC) and the Myanmar Association in Thailand (MAT) highlighted continued issues with the migrant worker memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked by the Myanmar and Thai governments.<br />
<br />
Also on hand were 23 migrants who had entered Thailand through the MoU system but were ultimately driven out of the factories where they briefly worked.<br />
<br />
“MoU migration is supposed to be a G-to-G [government-to-government] project, but currently it is more like a B-to-B [business-to-business] project,” said U Kyaw Thaung, director of the MAT. “Overseas employment agencies are sending migrants to Thailand by using unfair or dishonest tactics so we call it ‘legal human-trafficking’.”<br />
<br />
Activists said that they want the government to review and scrutinise the employment agencies’ work programs. They claim to have substantial proof – in the form of both documents and witnesses – of dishonest practices by employment agencies leading to the imprisonment of migrant workers.<br />
<br />
In one case, they said, an agency sent 179 Myanmar nationals to a Thai factory, but when the workers arrived, they were told no employees were needed.<br />
<br />
“In 2012, embassy inspectors and AAC leaders inspected a factory and found no labourers and no need of labourers,” U Kyaw Thuang said. “At the police station, in front of embassy inspectors, the factory manager admitted that they did not need workers. But at the same time, an agency was sending over hundreds of migrants to that factory.”<br />
<br />
Thai brokers are buying bogus letters that claim a need for workers in factories and businesses, he said.<br />
<br />
The 23 workers in attendance said they had recently returned home after being driven from a factory. A Myanmar agency, Mya Win, sent them with two-year contracts to work in a chicken processing factory, they said. But the contracts were changed with forged signatures in Myawady township, which borders Thailand, the migrants claimed. Instead, they were sent to work in a pineapple juice factory, they said, where they were given only a two-month contract.<br />
<br />
Ma Khin Thida Htun said that after getting kicked out of the factory with the other 22 workers on July 18, they stayed at the employer’s home for 18 days.<br />
<br />
“Many times, we called and asked for help from the agencies over those 18 days,” she said. “But no one helped us. Finally, the AAC came and saved us. We are not satisfied with the agency. We will sue this agency if they do not solve our grievances. We have strong documents and records.”<br />
<br />
Many agencies break labour agreement contracts, activists said, and they fail to take responsibility for the consequences, which have included injury and death.<br />
<br />
“We accuse the MoU migration system of legal human-trafficking,” said U Khaing Gyi, an AAC leader and member of the embassy’s Committee for Workers’ Protection. “Anyone can sue us using any law that they like, if we are wrong.”<br />
<br />
He asked the Myanmar government to investigate the situation and take harsh action against wayward agencies and labour officers.<br />
<br />
U Kyaw Zaw, general secretary of the Myanmar Oversea Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF), who also attended the press conference, told The Myanmar Times that federation members are operating on a legal business and are sending workers to Thailand according to the laws and the MoU.<br />
<br />
He faulted business owners in Thailand who are demanding far more workers than they actually need.<br />
<br />
“We carry out our tasks responsibly,” he said. “But Thailand’s businessmen also need to carry out their tasks [responsibly]. They must pay the salaries for all the jobs they asked for from us. If every migrants association – legal or illegal – will cooperate with us, we can improve migrant affairs. If the associations help migrants in order to further their interests through good publicity, we will face more migration problems.”<br />
<br />
U Myo Aung, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, said the workers who wish to go to Thailand under the MoU system need to read their contracts carefully and report problems to the respective agencies and the government.<br />
<br />
“Do report to us,” he said. “We can solve the MoU workers’ problems with G-to-G systems. They made the wrong move by reporting this only to civil society organisations and not the government.”<br />
<br />
About 4 million Myanmar migrants – documented and undocumented – are working in Thailand, with <b>4000 to 5000 headed across the border every month</b>, according to MOEAF.</blockquote>
<br />
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21807-activists-employment-agencies-spar-over-legal-human-trafficking-claims.html">Activists, employment agencies spar over ‘legal human-trafficking’ claims</a>," Myanmar Times, 8 August 2016
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-62981408119455715382016-08-08T08:23:00.003-07:002016-08-08T08:23:45.919-07:00Privatisation and its discontents<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
Workers from an agriculture machinery factory at 9 Mile in Yangon Region staged a protest against the Young Investment Group Industry Co Ltd (YIG) yesterday morning, claiming the company had fired nearly all of its employees without cause. <br />
<a name='more'></a>About 100 workers and their supporters gathered at Bo Sein Hman field for a three-hour demonstration against the YIG that lasted until noon. Participants said the company in question, which inherited the previously state-run factory when it was transferred by the government into private hands in 2013, had not honoured the terms of its contract with employees by gradually terminating all but six of the 69 workers employed at the time of the transfer. According to U Myint Lwin Oo, who led the protest as one of the workers who saw his pay change from government wage to private salary in 2013, said although the company had been authorised to take over production at the factory, since its transfer three years ago the facility remained essentially idle. “When they transferred the factory in 2013, the labour ministry, the YIG company and labour [representatives] held a discussion and made the contract, but now they are not following the contract and the ministry is neglecting it,” he said. “Besides, those workers for whom it is possible to be transferred back into government [employment] have been pressured to go back. And those for whom it is not possible to go back are being fired.” ... Ma Aye Myat Maw, one of the workers on the payroll at the time of the factory’s transfer, said, “The main thing is the company didn’t follow the principles of the contract. Why isn’t the [labour] ministry investigating the company? I want the ministry to take action against them. I also want stability with my job.”
</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/21811-dismissals-at-agricultural-machinery-factory-spark-protest.html" target="_blank">Dismissals at agricultural machinery factory spark protest</a>," Myanmar Times, 8 August 2016
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-23842611038927726342016-08-07T19:02:00.001-07:002016-08-07T19:02:23.569-07:00Labour law reform in "democractic" Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The government has largely put labour reform on the backburner at a time when worker rights advocates say there’s an urgent need to improve dispute settlement procedures. THE first crackdown on protesting workers under the National League for Democracy government occurred less than two months after it assumed power.<br />
<a name='more'></a> On May 18, plywood factory workers and their supporters marching to Nay Pyi Taw from Sagaing Region were dispersed on the outskirts of the capital on May 18. About 70 protesters were detained and 15 remain in detention, including six workers... The government’s response shocked many observers. But Ko Aung Thu Yein Tun, who heads the Yangon-based Nay Thu Yein law firm and is representing the six workers, said it was an accurate reflection of labour rights in Myanmar, which have changed little under the new government... “There have been more than 10 disputes in the Shwepyithar industrial zone alone since the new government came to power,” said Naing Htay Lwin. He and his former colleagues from the Ford Glory factory, site of a big sit-in protest last year that resulted in their dismissal, have formed a group called “Yaung Chi Oo” (Light of the Dawn), to help workers involved in labour disputes... Ko Thurain Aung, the director of advocacy group Action Labor Rights, said the new government needed to focus on improving the legal framework and strengthening enforcement. “There are some labour laws that have to be amended by the new government because, as is well known, there are some [economic] sectors that abuse labour rights. I don’t know why the amendments have not yet been made,” he said. He cited a number of weaknesses in the Labour Organization Law, which enables workers to form what are essentially unions. A labour organisation can be formed in a workplace if at least 10 percent of the workers there agree. He said this low threshold had led to a proliferation of organisations, even within a single workplace. In some cases, factory owners also encourage friendly workers to form labour organisations, which they then favour over other, competing groups. But worker rights groups say the law most urgently in need of change is the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law. The law mandates the creation of dispute settlement bodies at the township, district, state and region, and union level, comprising representatives appointed by workers, employers and the ministry. When employers and workers are unable to resolve a dispute through mediation, they submit a case for arbitration. But employers have regularly defied arbitration rulings, particularly those ordering them to rehire sacked workers, in which case the only legal remedy is a fine. Worker rights advocates have previously urged the introduction of prison terms for non-compliance, but amendments to the law in 2014 only increased the maximum fine. Aung Thu Yein Tun said the inability to enforce decisions by arbitration councils against errant employers had destroyed workers’ trust in the process for resolving disputes. “The workers go for legal process but when the government fails to enforce the decisions after the process, even if the workers win … why should they put their faith in the legal process any more?” he said. Thurain Aung said the law’s provisions also mean that workers cannot directly file a complaint against an employer to police. Instead, it is the responsibility of the arbitration councils formed up the law. “This means they have lost their rights,” he said. Legal reform uncertain. U Nyunt Win, the deputy director general of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, told Frontier there was no immediate plan to amend the labour laws enacted during the former government’s term. He said this was because no civil society groups or other stakeholders had requested changes to the laws, which include not only the Labour Organization Law and the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law, but also the Social Security Law and the Minimum Wage Law. “Our ministry has always listened to the voice from outside and we are working very closely with International Labor Organization, but there has been no advice … that the laws have to be amended,” Nyunt Win said. Instead, the ministry is focusing on new legislation, including a workplace safety and hygiene law and a foreign workers’ law, he added. But activists said it was a case of the bureaucracy being unwilling to cooperate with them on changes to the law. “Government officials favour the big unions and the small unions are gradually losing their voice,” said Ko Naing Zaw Kyi Win, an activist...</blockquote>
<br />
"<a href="http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/labour-reform-in-limbo">Labour reform in limbo</a>," Frontier Myanmar, 5 August 2016.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-73109031321273392322016-08-07T18:48:00.002-07:002016-08-07T18:49:44.970-07:00Private funding for industrial zone infrastructure?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Yangon Region government is to call on private industry to fund an upgrade of Hlaing Tharyar industrial zone to serve as a pilot project for the nation... “The government wants to upgrade industrial zones in Yangon, starting in Hlaing Tharyar as a pilot project,”... He believes the government intends to put the development plan out to tender, inviting private companies to develop the necessary infrastructure.“<br />
<a name='more'></a>The government wants to get private infrastructure development companies involved rather than funding the project directly,” said U Khin Maung Oo. Last month U Phyo Min Thein said that Yangon was strapped for cash, with a budget of under US$300 million, according to local media reports. Hlaing Tharyar is about 90 percent occupied by industry, compared to the 50pc occupancy rate commonly seen in other zones. But its problems are widely mirrored elsewhere. Industrialists say they cannot afford to build infrastructure. “We do not have enough money to build the necessary roads, drains and electricity,” said one factory owner. “If they want to develop the industrial zones, they will need both domestic and foreign investment... Proposals to invest in Myanmar’s industrial zones will be given priority over other investments, as the country seeks to boost its manufacturing sector and create jobs, the secretary of the Myanmar Investment Commission told reporters earlier this week. “Manufacturing is a key sector for job creation, so we will invite more companies to invest in industrial zones,” said U Aung Naing Oo. “We want to build more industrial zones and we aim to supply the infrastructure needed by investors.” There are 19 industrial zones in Myanmar, six of which are under development, he said, adding that his department plans to open vocational training centres in each industrial zone to produce the skilled workers needed by manufacturers... Many factories in South Dagon produce garments, rubber and paper, often from recycled materials. “Many factories are very small and don’t employ many workers or use much electricity,” U Kyaw Aung, a factory owner in Thaketa industrial zone, said, “We would like the government to enact rules and regulations to keep industrial land price speculators from keeping prices artificially high. If this happens, we industrialists can develop the zones ourselves.”</blockquote>
<br />
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/21797-hlaing-tharyar-industrial-zone-to-be-upgraded-in-pilot-project.html" target="_blank">Hlaing Tharyar industrial zone to be upgraded in pilot project</a>," Myanmar Times, 5 August 2016.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-33956988330318766792016-08-01T14:00:00.002-07:002016-08-01T14:00:22.199-07:00Official position on Thailand's migrant crackdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Department head Mr Arak Prommanee urged employers to bring their
employees to register before the expiry of the deadline, warning that,
after that, labour inspectors will start checking work places to find
out if any of them are harbouring illegal workers. Employers will face a maximum fine of 100,000 for having one illegal
migrant worker and illegal migrant workers will face a maximum jailterm
of five years and/or a fine of between 2,000-100,000 baht." </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/one-million-foreign-migrant-workers-expected-register-labour-ministry-143914" target="_blank">Over one million foreign migrant workers are expected to register with Labour Ministry</a>," Pattaya Mail</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-27620574461660775862016-08-01T13:57:00.000-07:002016-08-01T13:57:20.465-07:00Another reactionary editorial on migrant labour in Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A reactionary editorial, useful only as a point of reference, blaming migrants and calling for tighter restrictions and the mass expulsion of those lacking documentation:<br />
<blockquote>
"...<span>there are plenty of non-registered or illegal migrant workers out
there.
What complicates matters is the Thai government's relaxation of the
country's labour regulations, which started in 2009 to allow </span><span><span>migrant workers who previously entered Thailand illegally to go through the registration process... </span></span><span><span><span>the dearth of limitations on the numbers of migrant workers from
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and the lack of clarity about job
classifications allowed for migrant workers could undermine the
management... </span></span></span><span>The government should end the relaxation of Thai labour regulations for illegal migrant workers... </span><span>Thailand should send back existing illegal migrant workers to their countries."<span><span></span></span></span><br /><span><span><span></span></span></span></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1045593/end-thailands-relaxed-labour-laws" target="_blank">End Thailand's relaxed labour laws</a>," Bangkok Post, 27 July 2016</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-15916966822645851412016-08-01T13:43:00.003-07:002016-08-01T13:47:29.362-07:00On Thailand's migrant "pink card" crackdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"With the deadline to register for temporary work permits swiftly approaching, migrant workers in Thailand say they are being subjected to a rash of police raids. Undocumented workers from Myanmar – as well as Laos and Cambodia – have been told they must register for the work permits by July 29, or face deportation. The pink cards allow the workers a two-year reprieve, a window during which their home countries are tasked with verifying nationality and providing longer-term documents, such as passports. The scheme has been favoured by Thailand’s military junta, and was first rolled out in 2014 in a stated effort to curb human trafficking. But the current iteration differs by requiring Myanmar nationals with temporary passports set to expire to also register. Workers dislike the program as it leaves them vulnerable to arrest or, more frequently, police round-ups where they are forced to pay a bribe. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Ko Kyaw Zay Win, a worker at the World Knitting dye factory in Mahachai, also known colloquially as “little Myanmar”, said the police round-ups are targeting workers who have switched factories and are now working for a different employer than pegged on the permit. “This is the effect of the registration deadline,” he said. “Thai authorities always do that kind of arrest when the registration deadline is nearby.” According to Thai-based migrant affairs organisations, part of the problem lies with restriction related to the permit – it ties the workers to a single employer written on the card. Changing the designated employer requires returning to one-stop service centres and furbishing permission from the initial employer as well as proof of a job with the new one. The maze-like process serves as such a hindrance to workers and employers that most do not attempt it. In a July 11 statement, Thai labour officials urged workers who have not yet registered for their pink cards to quickly enroll, or they would face harsh repercussions, as the deadline will not be extended again. Thai authorities said that just 100,000 Myanmar migrant workers have so far registered for the pink cards, far short of the 300,000 target. U Sein Htay, chair of the Mahachai-based Migrant Workers Rights Network, said fresh raids are also likely after the deadline in order to crack down on workers who switch factories without updating their documents. The Thai employment department warned earlier this month that after the deadline, authorities will be conducting factory-floor scrutiny to ensure all foreign labourers are properly registered. Rights workers accuse the process of functioning like a scam, where workers are faced with ever-changing deadlines, and document requirements, but are kept poorly informed of the changes. Then authorities conduct raids and ping workers and employers with fines. “Even though some factory owners are willing to help workers with employer name changes, the process is quite complicated,” said U Sein Htay. “So that means when the police do raids, there are many vulnerable to arrest.” Ko Aung Kyaw, a worker from Nga Mae Lone freeze factory, estimates nearly 300 Myanmar workers in southern Thai are facing problems with the inscrutable system, and feel they have to hide when Thai authorities come by. “In such cases, it is luckier to be sent back to the homeland than to be sent to jail,” he said.</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21529-workers-fear-police-raids-as-pink-card-deadline-looms.html" target="_blank">Workers fear police raids, as pink card deadline looms</a>," Myanmar Times, 22 July 2016</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-2543153838984319752016-08-01T13:39:00.001-07:002016-08-01T13:47:51.597-07:00Myanmar workers protest selection of Labour Arbitration Tribunal members<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Workers vow to mobilise 1,000 supporters in a protest on July 24, where they will voice dissatisfaction over the selection process of a tribunal council's members. “We are going to protest on July 24 with 1,000 people in front of (Yangon) City Hall,” said a factory worker Hla Hla. Workers' groups hosted a press conference on July 20, fuming about the lack of transparency of the selection process. On July 8, employee representatives were chosen to the tribunal council. However, half of them represented the Federation of Labour Unions [CTUM?], which was the only workers' group invited to the selection by the Ministry of Labour. “There are thousands of labour groups in Myanmar. However, they did not invite all groups and only announced the selection plan through Sky Net and newspapers. This did not reach all employees,” said Aung Thu, a labour affairs leader. Aside from the protest, the groups plan to file their complaints to the government, rights groups and political parties. Naw Aung from the Myanmar Industrial and Commercial Federation also criticised the voting system.</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/5478" target="_blank">Labour tribunal under fire over representatives</a>," Eleven Media, 22 July 2016<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-22032339533902523152016-07-15T20:40:00.002-07:002016-07-15T20:40:50.478-07:00More on the repression of workers in "democratic" Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
Sagaing workers, facing trial for their protest march to the capital, will be sentenced to a month in prison or a K5000 fine after being held in contempt of court yesterday. The workers irritated court staffers by refusing to take the proceedings seriously and instead staging civil disobedience by yelling out and singing during four straight hearings.<br />
<a name='more'></a>
The workers have also pledged to stage a hunger strike if parliamentarians do not intervene in the case by the middle of the month.
On May 18, the workers were forcefully arrested by Nay Pyi Taw police between Tatkon township and Yamethin township while protesting for better conditions at the Myanmar Veneer plywood factory in Sagaing Region.
At yesterday’s hearing, after yelling and singing for the fourth time, they were found in violation of section 480 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which relates to contempt of court.
“They were yelling out slogans in the court,” Tatkon township Judge U Aung Kyaw Oo said. “We told them not to make noises in the court because the legal officer and prosecution police had arrived. We warned them three times. But they did not stop it and kept on disturbing the process of the court by influencing the judge with their sounds. It reached the fourth court hearing but the case could not be put on trial so the dignity of the court is lost.”
“The punishment is very lenient,” he added.
They will be punished again if they keep disturbing the court process at their next hearings, he said. A sentence in the case is expected on June 15, he said.
“Since the first time they were sent to court, they were yelling out slogans and singing their songs,” said Police Colonel Ko Ko Aung, head of Nay Pyi Taw district polices. “So far, their case cannot be put on trial.”
Ko Yan Naing Tun from the Progress Labour Union, who has been detained, said he had no comment on the court’s decision.
“Today, while we kept on boycotting the court, the court sentenced us for disobedience,” he said. “But, I have nothing to say about the order of the court. It is doing its duty.”
However, he went on to express his dissatisfaction with the trial.
“As we have been wrongly arrested, we don’t need to face trial,” he said. “The court is under the influence of the Ministry of Home Affairs. We’ve seen that the judge can’t decide the case on his own. Police are positioned in the courtroom so that they can give the judgement against us. There won’t be truth and justice under a judiciary system controlled by the executive sector.”
Ko Khaing Min, leader of the worker protesters, said they will wage hunger strikes aimed at MPs, asking that parliament amend labour laws.
“Force was used against us when we were arrested,” he said. “To settle that case, we will give MPs 10 days from today. We have decided that we will wage a hunger strike on the 11th day if they don’t do anything for us.”
</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/mandalay-upper-myanmar/21367-sagaing-labour-protesters-punished-for-civil-disobedience.html">Sagaing labour protesters punished for civil disobedience</a>," Myanmar Times, 14 July 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-12467310541614231782016-07-15T20:37:00.002-07:002016-07-15T20:42:24.703-07:00(yet another) Thai migrant registration deadline<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote>
The Thai Labor Ministry yesterday said it would refuse to extend the July 29 deadline for migrant workers to register themselves, stating they will arrest workers who have not registered from next month.<br />
<a name='more'></a> Arak Phrommanee, the director-general of the Employment Department at the Thai Labor Ministry, told the Bangkok Post that employers who take on undocumented workers will be fined once the deadline passes. “The registration drive is designed to ensure more efficient management of migrant workers; it will help employers too,” he said. “The employers who hire undocumented migrant workers will be fined 100,000 baht [about $2,850] for each illegal migrant worker hired.” Mr. Arak added that labor authorities will closely collaborate with immigration officers, police and security agencies to drive out undocumented migrant workers. In April, Cambodian Labor Minister Ith Samheng announced the Thai cabinet would require all migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar who held work permits as of the end of March to renew them by the end of July. He said the move was being made to ensure “systematic management of foreign workers to meet international standards” and the legality of foreign workers. Mr. Arak said a total of 786,743 migrant workers along with 17,218 dependents from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos had registered with authorities. He expects more than 800,000 migrant workers will register. “Employers must report to authorities if their staff abandons work. The move is intended to solve the problem of migrant workers leaving jobs and becoming illegal workers,” he said. Mao Chandara, general director of the ministry’s identification department, told Khmer Times last week that more than 200,000 passports had already been granted to Cambodian workers in Thailand, but he declined to comment on how many Cambodian workers remain in Thailand undocumented. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported last year that about 420,000 Cambodians were working legally in Thailand, with an additional 270,000 in the country on a temporary basis.</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/27279/thai-warning-as-deadline-looms/">Thai Warning as Deadline Looms</a>," Khmer Times, 15 July 2016.
<br />
<blockquote>
A senior Labour Ministry official in Thailand has said it will not extend a deadline for the registration of migrant workers that expires on July 29, a Bangkok newspaper reported on July 14. Mr Arak Phrommanee also said a crackdown on the illegal employment of migrant workers would begin as soon as the registration period ended, the Bangkok Post reported. “The registration drive is designed to ensure more efficient management of migrant workers; it will help employers, too,” said Arak, the director-general of the Department of Employment. Employers who hired undocumented migrant labour would be liable to a fine of THB100,000 (about K3.35 million) for each worker, he said. Thai labour authorities would work closely with police, immigration officers and security agencies to stamp out undocumented migrant workers, Arak said. More than 800,000 migrant workers were expected to register before the deadline, the report said. Arak said a total of 786,743 migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, as well as 17,218 dependents, had registered with the Thai authorities. He dismissed claims that there were more than three million migrant workers in Thailand, saying the figure was fabricated. Thailand’s second largest mobile phone operator, DTAC, told Frontier earlier this year it estimated that <b>the country has about five million Myanmar residents</b>. DTAC, that owns a Myanmar-language platform called Happy Myanmar, said the estimate was based on an analysis of SIM card use in Thailand.</blockquote>
"<a href="http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/business/thailand-rules-out-migrant-worker-registration-deadline">Thailand rules out new migrant worker registration deadline</a>," Frontier Myanmar, 14 July 2016.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-18773849332188323042016-07-11T07:12:00.003-07:002016-07-11T07:12:40.025-07:00On the regulation and repression/extortion of migrants in Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The migrant workers said these stickers allow them to sell stuff on the
street without fear of official intervention as bribes have been paid
but so far the identity of the person or persons who issued them is
unknown."</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/bangkok-police-chief-vows-punish-five-station-heads-graft-stickers-surface-responsible-areas-137554" target="_blank">Bangkok police chief vows to punish five station heads if graft stickers surface in their responsible areas</a>," Pattaya Mail, 31 May 2016<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"IN A BID to counter the problem of illegal migrants, foreign workers without permits face the prospect of mass arrests and large fines... According to Arak, the committee agreed to have a subcommittee study six resolutions:... guidelines to track registered workers' homes and jobs; a new version of work permits that shows jobs and areas of residence; ... The director-general said to crack down on illegal labour, the ministry
needs to take aggressive action. Workers without work permits will be
jailed and made to pay a large fine. He said the ministry had tried to
intensify punishment of employers who hire illegal labourers as well... Currently, there are 39 "skilled" jobs such as cooks, hairdressers,
sellers and service sector work that Cambodian, Myanmar and Lao workers
cannot do, Arak said. But many illegal workers do these jobs... in response to scandals over illegal workers bribing
police to work without papers, police were responsible for the issue and
the ministry would not interfere. The ministry could only ask for police and concerned parties to
cooperate and crack down on non-registered workers."</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Illegal-workers-face-major-crackdown-30288083.html" target="_blank">Illegal workers face major crackdown</a>," The Nation, 14 June 2016<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"In many cases when workers or employers cannot personally apply for a
permit, they hire brokers to secure the necessary documents. But Aung's
employer said that could cost as much as Bt10,000 per employee... And even though Aung and his five fellow waiters have no legal work
status, their employer has provided a degree of protection by bribing
police and other officials. "Currently there are eight police and other
authority offices that take bribes from me," he said. "Each one takes at least Bt500 per month per head, making me pay about Bt20,000 in total. And I have no choice but to pay." Millions of migrants from Myanmar work... in an even more complex situation if they work as vendors.... Mu said three different groups of police have told her to pay bribes of
Bt3,000 per month after an initial "fine" of Bt25,000 in exchange for
"job security". "Dreams of a migrant worker to have a good life here is
far from the truth," she said. Mu earns about Bt300 a day from the stall. She has to pay the police
bribes, rent for her stall and support her two schoolchildren. That
prevents her from saving anything or sending funds back to her family... The government tackles the problem with short-term crackdowns." </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Many-Myanmar-migrants-caught-in-an-illegal-limbo-30288591.html" target="_blank">Many Myanmar migrants caught in an illegal limbo</a>," The Nation, 20 June 2016<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-42664964785558035092016-07-11T06:51:00.001-07:002016-07-11T06:59:33.540-07:00More on the spatial fix to Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Chinese garment factories are interested in investing in Myanmar due to the country’s cheap labour and market potential. As... China’s basic wages have been rising, textile proprietors
are flocking to Southeast Asian countries, where wages are relatively
cheap... Myanmar’s garment industry began blooming in 2014 and earned $1.5
billion from exports. More than 230,000 workers were involved in the
industry as of 2015. Foreign investment into the industry is also rising; 26.5 per cent of
Myanmar’s total FDI went into garment industry in 2013, followed by 27.4
per cent in 2014 and 29 per cent in 2015. The industry runs on a
piecework basis. Myanmar’s garment exports primarily go to Japan, the EU and South Korea." </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/5275" target="_blank">China eyes Myanmar garment industry: Hong Kong trade report</a>," Eleven Media, 28 June 2016</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-31861805982174786162016-07-11T06:51:00.000-07:002016-07-11T06:54:31.507-07:00Police repression of workers' struggles in "democratic" Myanmar <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Police have used force to crack down on
the worker protest march from Sagaing’s Myanmar Veneer Plywood Private
Limited (MVPPL) on May 18. The protesters were awaiting the arrival
of Nay Pyi Taw’s council chairman Dr Myo Aung at the entrance
of Tatkon when a disagreement broke out with the police... According to Nay Pyi Taw police
superintendent Ko Ko Aung: “We have already made it clear that this
protest is an illegal gathering under Sections 127 and 128 of the penal
code. It has no legal permission. The council chairman was waiting
in Tatkon to negotiate with the protest leaders but they rejected the
offer and no negotiations worked. They then attempted to go past the
blockade so we took action. “There are a couple of protesters that incited and instigated the action. They will be investigated and charged.” ... Protesters claimed an unnecessary amount of force was used. “The police beat and arrested us. People
in civilian clothing also joined in to beat us. Women were also beaten.
A girl might die,” said a detained protester from one of the police
vans... “We were brutally beaten and arrested
under the administration of a civilian government that we voted for.
Should this happen? Is this fair?” shouted protest leader Khine Min from
inside a police vehicle."</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"<a href="http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/police-break-worker-protest" target="_blank">Police break worker protest</a>," Eleven Media, 19 May 2016</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Around 50 factory workers and
activists involved in a protest march in Myanmar... have been charged with rioting... The protesters had
been blocked by police as they tried to march into the capital, Nay Pyi
Taw, on Wednesday, resulting in scuffles. They were demanding union recognition and for fired workers to be re-hired. The new government has been discussing amending military-era laws allowing police to clamp down on such protests." </blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36339480" target="_blank">Myanmar charges 50 with rioting after protest march</a>," BBC, 20 May 2016<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"They are being charged under Articles 143 and 145, 147 and 505(b)
... for joining in or continuing an unlawful assembly and rioting,” said
Colonel Ko Ko Aung of the Naypyidaw police told RFA’s Myanmar Service. The first three articles pertain to participating in an unlawful
assembly, refusing to obey police and causing disorder, while Article
505(b) of the penal code pertains to disturbing public order... The current law passed in 2012 under the previous military-backed
government requires those planning demonstrations to obtain permission
from local authorities five days in advance and to provide details about
their planned activities." </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-police-charge-workers-involved-in-labor-rights-protest-05202016150207.html" target="_blank">Myanmar Police Charge Workers Involved in Labor Rights Protest</a>," RFA, 20 May 2016 </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-7232698564640076922016-05-10T07:53:00.002-07:002016-05-10T07:53:26.530-07:00Mizzima: Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On the Myanmar government's involvement with migrant nationals in Thailand:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi said the Government has plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand... Although she did not reveal details of the plan, she said the Myanmar government had plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. The Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai said, “Children of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand get schooling in Thailand. And Myanmar workers can enjoy the right to receive medical treatment like Thai workers. We will work in order that Myanmar workers have equal rights. Myanmar also has a duty to address some matters related to Myanmar workers in Thailand.” ... the Thai Foreign Minister said 1.59 million Myanmar migrant workers have been registered legally in Thailand. Thailand’s Bangkok Post reported that according to Thanit Sorat, founder and former secretary-general of the Thai Myanmar Business Forum, about 1.6 million documented Myanmar migrants now work in Thailand, while a further 1.6 million are unregistered. </blockquote>
"<a href="http://mizzima.com/news-domestic/suu-kyi-says-government-plans-take-care-myanmar-migrant-workers-thailand" target="_blank">Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand</a>," Mizzima, 10 May 2016
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-33410395824908345892016-05-05T07:57:00.000-07:002016-05-05T07:57:10.355-07:00On the much-drawn-out negotiations of migrant registration in Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Are they really still negotiating over regularising migration to Thailand? This sounds like the MoU system that pre-dates the coup by at least 5 years.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span>Thai and Myanmar labour ministers have agreed to proceed with a
labour cooperation plan to import migrant workers through a
government-to-government agreement, says a senior ministry official. </span></blockquote>
<span>"<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/959741/minister-settles-worker-import-plan-with-myanmar" target="_blank">Minister settles worker import plan with Myanmar</a>," Bangkok Post, 5 May 2016</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-86059470115228897552016-05-05T07:52:00.002-07:002016-05-05T07:52:31.270-07:00Comparing Myanmar wages internationallly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
International companies are pouring into [Myanmar], eager to take
advantage of the extraordinarily cheap labour costs (only Djibouti and
Bangladesh offer lower labour costs than the 3,600 kyat [Dh11.39] daily
minimum wage introduced last year). </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.thenational.ae/arts-life/the-review/20160504/myanmars-catch-22-why-aung-san-suu-kyi-faces-the-task-of-a-lifetime#page3" target="_blank">Myanmar’s Catch 22: why Aung San Suu Kyi faces the task of a lifetime</a>," The Nation, 4 May 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-62394449026060447962016-05-05T07:49:00.001-07:002016-05-05T07:59:29.607-07:00The reality of migrant wages in Mae Sot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to Win Zaw Oo, a Mae Sot-based migrant: "Even though the Thai government
has officially set the minimum wage in Tak province area at 300 baht [a
day], not more than 10% of migrant workers get that amount."<br />
<br />
And according to U Moe Kyo, director of JACBA: "Even though [Thai] government has considered increasing the minimum
wage to 300 baht all over Thailand, Mae Sot and some other districts
still pay a minimum wage under 200 baht."</blockquote>
"<a href="http://karennews.org/2016/05/international-workers-day-raises-concerns-about-equality-rights-and-pay-for-burmese-workers.html/" target="_blank">International Workers Day Raises Concerns about Equality, Rights and Pay For Burmese Workers</a>," Karen News, 3 May 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-79216932176412870062016-05-05T07:44:00.000-07:002016-05-05T07:44:04.316-07:00Contesting Myanmar's minimum wage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The current minimum wage in Myanmar is 3,600 kyat/day. The MWUN calls for an increase to 5,600 kyat/day.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Myanmar Workers Union Network yesterday called on the new government
to enact a minimum wage of Ks 5,600 at a ceremony marking International
Workers’ Day in Hlaingthaya Township, Yangon. The ceremony was attended
by MPs from the National League for Democracy, members of labour unions
and farmers unions, officials from political organisations and around
500 workers.</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/workers-union-network-calls-daily-minimum-wage-ks-5600" target="_blank">Workers Union Network calls for daily minimum wage of Ks 5,600</a>," Eleven Media, May 2016</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-4039488471816209502016-05-05T07:37:00.002-07:002016-05-05T07:38:50.602-07:00Updated stats on workers unions, federations and confederations in Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="p-content">Myanmar saw 1,917 labour organisations at basic
level, 105 at township level and 14 at region or state level, seven
labour federations and one labour confederation.</span></blockquote>
<span class="p-content">"<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/myanmar-to-promote-protect-labour-rights-116050200353_1.html" target="_blank">Myanmar to promote, protect labour rights</a>," Business Standard, 2 May 2016 </span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-13956173466509892972016-05-05T07:31:00.002-07:002016-05-05T07:31:51.336-07:00The challenge of debt bondage in Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Migrant workers who fall prey to human traffickers often avoid reporting their cases to Thai authorities for fear of being incarcerated, leaving them unable to earn money to send home or pay back debts to brokers... Migrant workers from Myanmar and also Cambodia commonly borrow money to pay recruitment fees to illegal brokers to be smuggled into Thailand or to registered brokers for the paperwork to go legally... Once they start their jobs, they are often not paid for several months as their salaries are used to pay those debts, leaving them vulnerable to trafficking and broker exploitation... agency, recruitment and corruption costs, can cause migrants to rack up debts from $400 up to $1,200 just to get started working in Thailand... </blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-humantrafficking-thailand-shelter-idUSKCN0XP25Z" target="_blank">Fear of incarceration hamper Thai fight against human trafficking: activist</a>," Reuters, 28 April 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-42687935258316906522016-05-05T07:22:00.000-07:002016-05-05T07:22:02.684-07:00Will child labour increase in Myanmar?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
VOA on a potential increase in child labour:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="dict_parse_word"><span class="w">After</span> 50 <span class="w">years</span> of <span class="w">economic</span> <span class="w">isolation</span>, <span class="w">observers</span> <span class="w">fear</span> that <span class="w">Myanmar</span> <span class="w">children</span> <span class="w">might</span> be <span class="w">forced</span> to <span class="w">work</span> <span class="w">before</span> <span class="w">they</span> <span class="w">can</span> <span class="w">complete</span> <span class="w">schooling</span> in a <span class="w">booming</span> <span class="w">economy</span>... </span><span class="dict_parse_word"><span class="w">Experts</span> <span class="w">say</span> <span class="w">about</span> <span class="w">twenty</span> <span class="w">percent</span> of <span class="w">children</span> in <span class="w">Myanmar</span> <span class="w">between</span> the <span class="w">ages</span> of 10 and 17 <span class="w">work</span> <span class="w">instead</span> of <span class="w">going</span> to <span class="w">school</span>. <span class="w">They</span> <span class="w">work</span> in <span class="w">factories</span>, <span class="w">tourism</span> and <span class="w">many</span> <span class="w">other</span> <span class="w">businesses</span>. <span class="w">They</span> <span class="w">work</span> in <span class="w">cities</span> and in <span class="w">rural</span> <span class="w">areas</span>... </span><span class="dict_parse_word"><span class="w">Children</span> <span class="w">younger</span> <span class="w">than</span> <span class="w">age</span> 13 are not <span class="w">permitted</span> to <span class="w">work</span> in <span class="w">shops</span> or <span class="w">factories</span> in <span class="w">Myanmar</span>. <span class="w">If</span> <span class="w">they</span> <span class="w">do</span> <span class="w">work</span>, <span class="w">they</span> <span class="w">may</span> <span class="w">only</span> <span class="w">do</span> <span class="w">so</span> for <span class="w">up</span> to <span class="w">four</span> <span class="w">hours</span> a <span class="w">day</span>. But <span class="w">experts</span> <span class="w">say</span> <span class="w">businesses</span> <span class="w">do</span> not <span class="w">obey</span> the <span class="w">law</span>, and the <span class="w">government</span> <span class="w">does</span> not <span class="w">punish</span> <span class="w">them</span> for <span class="w">ignoring</span> it.</span> </blockquote>
<br />
"<a href="http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/economic-development-in-myanmar-could-increase-number-of-child-workers/3301556.html" target="_blank">Economic Growth Could Increase Child Labor in Myanmar</a>," VOA, 5 May 2016</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-56205921036226837242016-04-09T05:41:00.001-07:002016-04-09T05:41:23.813-07:00Andy Hall on the MoU system of migrant employment in Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Andy Hall offers some excellent critiques of the fraught MoU system for employment of migrants in Thailand, which facilitates debt bondage and other constraints on migrants changing employers. <span> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span>The system had failed in that it obliged migrant workers to stick
to an assigned workplace as indicated in the contract. Worse, the system
grants the right to agencies without workplaces to accommodate </span><span><span>the workers.
With such a (MoU) system, those who want -- or are forced to -- to
change workplaces, have no other choice but to throw away the official
documents, despite their financial and psychological </span></span><span><span><span>worth, and instead opt for the pink card, which enables them to
change workplaces. However, holders of this semi-regular migrant worker
card are at risk of being deprived of social security benefits. With </span></span></span><span><span><span><span>the pink card, workers have limited freedom of movement and could face deportation. </span></span></span></span></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/925649/mou-system-still-exploits-workers" target="_blank">MoU system still exploits workers</a>," <i>Bangkok Post</i>, 8 April 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058990777342254569.post-66632780920005935452016-04-07T07:25:00.001-07:002016-04-07T07:25:24.736-07:00Myanmar Times: NLD takes first steps on migrant policy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nyan Lynn Aung and Htoo Thant report:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In its first, tenuous start toward a policy on migrant workers, the National League for Democracy is drawing up a bill to address the millions of citizens outside the country. The Pyithu Hluttaw International Relations Committee has een tasked with drafting the legislation after assessing the needs of the workers. “We are now making observations for the bill. I think it will take three months to complete the observations,” said committee member U Myo Zaw Aung, a lower house representative for Sagaing Region’s Kawlin township. He did not say which aspects of migration the bill would aim to address. But rights groups that have met with the new government have stressed the need for long-term policy planning to replace the current capricious system that relies on temporary and only semi-legal identification documents. U Myo Zaw Aung acknowledged that problems with Myanmar’s economy – particularly the lack of job opportunities in rural areas – need to be addressed so that workers are not compelled to leave in the first place.
</blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/19868-nld-takes-first-steps-on-migrant-policy.html" target="_blank">NLD takes first steps on migrant policy</a>," <i>The Myanmar Times</i>, 7 April 2016 </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0