Trafficking And Abuse Of Workers Be Must Stopped: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Trafficking and abuse of workers be must stopped

The Nation

Brokers and employers who prey on migrants should face tough action

BANGKOK: -- The issue of Burmese migrant workers is back on the table once again following Aung San Suu Kyi's recent visit to Bangkok. In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, she asked him to help Burmese workers. Chalerm promised to extend the Bt300 minimum daily wage to the Burmese workers also.

There are more than two million migrant workers from Myanmar in Thailand. It's true that many Thai employers treat them like slaves or even animals, either as seafood factory workers or housemaids, and they get away with the abuse. The problem is no more obvious than in the fishery and seafood processing industries where many of the Burmese are toiling away. Mahachai district in Samut Sakhon, which the Myanmar opposition leader recently visited to offer hope and encouragement to Burmese workers, hosts one of the largest concentrations of these people. The industries generate much of Mahachai's wealth and prosperity. But the workers share too little of that money for doing menial jobs disdained by Thais.

The point is issues faced by these migrants and others are part of a bigger problem: human trafficking. Since 2008, the Thai government has designated June 5 as the National Anti-Human Trafficking Day to highlight the Social Development Ministry's efforts to battle human trafficking and smuggling rackets and raise public awareness. The official designation of the day is aimed at encouraging all sectors of society to show a commitment to eradicate human trafficking, practically and sustainably.

Human trafficking appears in several disguises - prostitution, begging, cross-border smuggling of migrants and forced labour. The victims are not just workers from Myanmar. There are Cambodian and Lao women and children smuggled into the country to work in factories as cheap labour. Others are lured into prostitution or forced labour. Many Cambodian beggars are more visible in Bangkok these days.

Migrants from Myanmar are at particular at risk of human trafficking because there are so many in Thailand now. Common human rights violations they endure include labour rights abuse such as uncompensated overtime, low salaries, no life insurance or compensation, sexual harassment and torture.

Many migrants do not want to register with the Thai government due to the high cost and fear of reprisals if they give their address in Myanmar. Some Thai employers also don't want to allow their Burmese workers to register to avoid having to pay tax and to prevent any recourse for abuses their workers suffer.

Those who are smuggled by traffickers have to pay huge sums to agents before their journey to Thailand. They often find themselves without a proper work permit and are thus deemed "illegals". Illegal workers are vulnerable to abuse from corrupt Thai officials and unscrupulous and exploitative employers. Some are forced to work for as little as Bt100 a day, or less, if they don't have a work permit.

Migrants complained to Suu Kyi during her visit to Mahachai that they had to pay a few thousand baht to have their work permits renewed. A renewal normally costs a few hundred baht.

Registered Burmese migrants can find themselves coerced into forced and bonded labour, despite being legally entitled to work in our country, due to confusion over their status and lack of access to information.

Female workers are especially prone to crimes. Many cases of Burmese women raped, abused, or exploited by Thais, or fellow workers, go unrecorded. Migrants stuck on Thai fishing boats on the high seas often suffer an even more horrific fate. Yet the government has done to little to try to rein the owners of such vessels - or the brokers who supply them with workers - into line.

On top of that, there is a regular stream of migrant tragedies. In 2008, a truckload of migrants suffocated and died in the sweltering confines of a container lorry after the air-conditioning failed during their journey to the resort town of Phuket. There has also been a series of nasty road accidents in which smuggled migrants have been killed on the way to factories, sometimes caused by drivers attempting to flee from police or checkpoints. Tens of thousands were also left stranded by last year's flood crisis, which caused a mass exodus via Mae Sot, as many saw no other option but to return home.

The problem is their grievances fell on deaf ears for many years. It was only recently that officials from the Burmese government started to take a serious interest in their plight. But given the call from the democracy champion, we can't pretend to take the migrant issue seriously only to ignore it later. Human trafficking is an endemic problem in Thailand. It is high time that corrupt networks smuggling workers into this country are dismantled, and the disgusting exploitation of our poor neighbours is contained, once and for all.

-- The Nation 2012-06-04

[Andelu]

Chalerm wants to help migrant workers? lol Looking forward to see how much he really cares.

[BookMan]

I hope i don't come back in another life as a Burmese worker in Thailand. These people are often lower on the ladder than your average Soi dog.

Perhaps I have already been there, which is why i enjoy a good life now?

[noitom]

Shameful example of editorial journalism. "...... workers be must stopped" in the headline. Doesn't anyone care to check work at The Nation? Honestly at anytime is atrocious, but in the third lead headline is totally preposterous.

[phoneguy702]

Chalerm could not care less about Myanmar workers unless there is money to be made. He has no interest in enforcing the 300Baht min laws in favor of Burmese workers. I think the other story of today about the rescheduling of a trip to Thailand by a Myanmar official because Aung San Suu Kyi looked so good visiting Burmese workers and attending the Economic Forum. That and the Thai Gov't tripping over itself to try and "recover" it's standing with the Myanmar Gov't says volumes about where their minds are really at.

[Woodcaulk]

But the workers share too little of that money for doing menial jobs disdained by Thais.

And just who in the name of Zeuss' butthole is an editorial staff writer at "The Nation" to decide how much is enough or not enough money to "share" with the worker???....Likely a journalism major who thinks the primary purpose of a business is to provide jobs and income to unskilled workers

It's true that many Thai employers treat them like slaves or even animals,

Perhaps the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma should have thought more carefully of this future development when they invaded Ayutthaya in 1548

[gand]

Chalerm wants to help migrant workers? lol Looking forward to see how much he really cares.

He only cares about one, Aung San Suu Kyi, as is clearly indicated by the 2 pictures on him with her.

"Suu Kyi Talks To Chalerm On Workers' Issues"

[gand]

All human trafficking should be stopped, including the human trafficking of Thais to other countries.

[AngryParent]

It's true that many Thai employers treat them like slaves or even animals,

Perhaps the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma should have thought more carefully of this future development when they invaded Ayutthaya in 1548

I have heard this lame excuse (mainly from racist and xenophobic Thais that are weirdos) many times.

Time all such weirdos wake up and realize that it is 2012 (almost 500 years later) and the world and people are different.

[Petertimo]

But the workers share too little of that money for doing menial jobs disdained by Thais.

And just who in the name of Zeuss' butthole is an editorial staff writer at "The Nation" to decide how much is enough or not enough money to "share" with the worker???....Likely a journalism major who thinks the primary purpose of a business is to provide jobs and income to unskilled workers

It's true that many Thai employers treat them like slaves or even animals,

Perhaps the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma should have thought more carefully of this future development when they invaded Ayutthaya in 1548

Maybe you should have yourself checked at a mental institution. Just a suggestion.

[fred2007]

It's true that many Thai employers treat them like slaves or even animals,

Perhaps the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma should have thought more carefully of this future development when they invaded Ayutthaya in 1548

I have heard this lame excuse (mainly from racist and xenophobic Thais that are weirdos) many times.

Time all such weirdos wake up and realize that it is 2012 (almost 500 years later) and the world and people are different.

[osiboy]

the hub of illegal immigrant workers,...........i can see a crackdown on the way !

[phl]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

[gand]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/news/595/news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.com/2011/08/product-of-thailand-could-be-result-of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,KHM,,4f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews.org/Report/93606/CAMBODIA-THAILAND-Men-trafficked-into-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injustice.com/2011/08/29/slavery-growing-in-thailands-fishing-construction-and-agriculture-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespondent.com/83031/sea-slavery-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/community/t.c?b=12&t=57276

[phl]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.c.../news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.c...of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org.../4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org...f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews....-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injust...ure-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespo...ry-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/comm....c?b=12&t=57276

No argument there, sure it exists, but again, why do migrant workers chose to come and have such low paying jobs? and allow themselves to be mistreated that way?

Do note: i am not defending anyone or taking sides, but rather wanting to understand their thinking

Edited June 4, 2012 by phl

[ratcatcher]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.c.../news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.c...of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org.../4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org...f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews....-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injust...ure-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespo...ry-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/comm...=12&t=57276

No argument there, sure it exists, but again, why do migrant workers chose to come and have such low paying jobs? and allow themselves to be mistreated that way?

Do note: i am not defending anyone or taking sides, but rather wanting to understand their thinking

In a word, DESPERATION.

[gand]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.c.../news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.c...of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org.../4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org...f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews....-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injust...ure-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespo...ry-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/comm...=12&t=57276

No argument there, sure it exists, but again, why do migrant workers chose to come and have such low paying jobs? and allow themselves to be mistreated that way?

Do note: i am not defending anyone or taking sides, but rather wanting to understand their thinking

Read the articles, they were tricked by human traffickers, told lies about good paying jobs and then locked up into slavery, happens all the time around the world, they are not willingly selling themselves into this, they are being forced.

[Skywalker69]

I hope i don't come back in another life as a Burmese worker in Thailand. These people are often lower on the ladder than your average Soi dog.

Perhaps I have already been there, which is why i enjoy a good life now?

No, but lets hope Chalerm does.

[phl]

One has to ask a simple question.

Which is why is this trade prospering?

Perhaps because even the "low" pay is higher than what migrant workers can get back home, which then raises another question, in other places like Cambodia, is the cost of living that much cheaper then in Thailand?

From personal travels and experience, the cost of living is "about" the same, the main difference is people in other places like Cambodia are less lazy and willing to work for any money as having little money is much better than having no money at all.

Little of topic, but very relevant. My conversation with an EX

Her 19 year old brother lives with parents in Isaan and does not work, he does nothing all day, so everyone else needs to support him(which did include myself, though the request was denied )

Anyhow, i asked why he does not work, the answer was "because in their town/village there is not much work, can only work in the factory which pays only 5K-6K for 10 hour days.

So being unemployed and having no money is a smarter option than having even a low paid job.

Also NOT all migrant workers are mistreated, a large number have "well" paying jobs, know a few burmese guys who have been getting 300baht per day for past 5 years or so, burmese maids on 8K-10K, in both cases accommodation is also provided

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.c.../news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.c...of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org.../4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org...f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews....-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injust...ure-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespo...ry-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/comm...=12&t=57276

No argument there, sure it exists, but again, why do migrant workers chose to come and have such low paying jobs? and allow themselves to be mistreated that way?

Do note: i am not defending anyone or taking sides, but rather wanting to understand their thinking

Read the articles, they were tricked by human traffickers, told lies about good paying jobs and then locked up into slavery, happens all the time around the world, they are not willingly selling themselves into this, they are being forced.

You are talking ONLY about one aspect of it, OP and myself are talking about the all of it, which does include a HUGE number who come willingly and do all the jobs Thai's do not want to do

[gand]

And then there is this?

Migrants tell of slavery at sea on Thai fishing boats

http://www.mmtimes.c.../news59517.html

“Product of Thailand” Could Be Result of Slave Labor

http://deepseanews.c...of-slave-labor/

Cambodia: 100 escape from traffickers 2012-02-09

http://www.unhcr.org.../4f55c6ab2.html

Cambodia: Trafficking victims escape after ordeal 2012-02-07

http://www.unhcr.org...f3a2526c,0.html

CAMBODIA-THAILAND: Men trafficked into "slavery" at sea

http://www.irinnews....-slavery-at-sea

Slavery Growing in Thailand’s Fishing, Construction, and Agriculture Industries

http://modern-injust...ure-industries/

Sea slavery in Thailand

http://asiancorrespo...ry-in-thailand/

Product of Thailand = Slave Labor?

http://khmer.cc/comm...=12&t=57276

No argument there, sure it exists, but again, why do migrant workers chose to come and have such low paying jobs? and allow themselves to be mistreated that way?

Do note: i am not defending anyone or taking sides, but rather wanting to understand their thinking

Read the articles, they were tricked by human traffickers, told lies about good paying jobs and then locked up into slavery, happens all the time around the world, they are not willingly selling themselves into this, they are being forced.

You are talking ONLY about one aspect of it, OP and myself are talking about the all of it, which does include a HUGE number who come willingly and do all the jobs Thai's do not want to do

Thai workers are also being trafficked with the same lies, promise of a good legit job and finding themselves forced into slave labor and/or prostitution to many countries Japan, the middle east, Australia, etc etc etc.

[phl]

Thai workers are also being trafficked with the same lies, promise of a good legit job and finding themselves forced into slave labor and/or prostitution to many countries Japan, the middle east, Australia, etc etc etc.

you know repeating yourself 3 times does not address the original post i made

I am not talking about forced slave labor

Many Thai and Chinese go to Australia and US willingly and look for jobs and accept jobs paying 1/2 if not 1/3 of the going rates

[gand]

Thai workers are also being trafficked with the same lies, promise of a good legit job and finding themselves forced into slave labor and/or prostitution to many countries Japan, the middle east, Australia, etc etc etc.

you know repeating yourself 3 times does not address the original post i made

I am not talking about forced slave labor

Many Thai and Chinese go to Australia and US willingly and look for jobs and accept jobs paying 1/2 if not 1/3 of the going rates

When you are hired for a good job you are told about but instead locked up and beaten and forced to work long hours, raped, forced into prostitution, do you think that you would be thinking of the 1/2 or 1/3 wages they promised you when you are getting actually paid nothing and being starved on top of that?

[SantiSuk]

All the powerhouses of the world were built on similar exploitation of underclasses. Doesnt excuse it, but it's ludicrous that the Western media get so one-eyed about the ills of developing economies.

[phl]

Thai workers are also being trafficked with the same lies, promise of a good legit job and finding themselves forced into slave labor and/or prostitution to many countries Japan, the middle east, Australia, etc etc etc.

you know repeating yourself 3 times does not address the original post i made

I am not talking about forced slave labor

Many Thai and Chinese go to Australia and US willingly and look for jobs and accept jobs paying 1/2 if not 1/3 of the going rates

When you are hired for a good job you are told about but instead locked up and beaten and forced to work long hours, raped, forced into prostitution, do you think that you would be thinking of the 1/2 or 1/3 wages they promised you when you are getting actually paid nothing and being starved on top of that?

repeating yourself the 4th time AGAIN, does not change the original subject i raised. Try to think LITTLE outside your box

[gand]

Thai workers are also being trafficked with the same lies, promise of a good legit job and finding themselves forced into slave labor and/or prostitution to many countries Japan, the middle east, Australia, etc etc etc.

you know repeating yourself 3 times does not address the original post i made

I am not talking about forced slave labor

Many Thai and Chinese go to Australia and US willingly and look for jobs and accept jobs paying 1/2 if not 1/3 of the going rates

When you are hired for a good job you are told about but instead locked up and beaten and forced to work long hours, raped, forced into prostitution, do you think that you would be thinking of the 1/2 or 1/3 wages they promised you when you are getting actually paid nothing and being starved on top of that?

repeating yourself the 4th time AGAIN, does not change the original subject i raised. Try to think LITTLE outside your box

You too can be Shanhaied.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghaiing

[phl]

You too can be Shanhaied.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Shanghaiing

Sorry, thats too big of a word for me

Thanks for providing a link to its meaning

[gand]

You too can be Shanhaied.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Shanghaiing

Sorry, thats too big of a word for me

Thanks for providing a link to its meaning

"Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/rolling-stone

[phl]

You too can be Shanhaied.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Shanghaiing

Sorry, thats too big of a word for me

Thanks for providing a link to its meaning

"Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

http://www.bobdylan....s/rolling-stone

did someone say TROLL?