Historical Bias Against Neighbouring Nations A Burden For Migrant Workers

[Lite Beer]

Historical bias against neighbouring nations a burden for migrant workers

The Nation on Sunday

A worker from Myanmar at Mahachai Market.

BANGKOK: -- Social activist Adisorn Kerdmongkol, a key person at the Migrant Working Group (MWG), was among five people just named as outstanding human rights defenders by the Somchai Neelapaijit Memorial Foundation. He answered questions by The Nation on Sunday's Pravit Rojanaphruk about the plight of migrant workers in Thailand. Excerpts:

What do you think of the Labour Ministry's considering a policy to force pregnant migrant workers back to their home countries to deliver their babies?

It reflects the bias of the Thai state towards migrant workers. It also only sees them as labour and a burden to Thailand and fails to see them as human.

This idea doesn't go in line with solving the problem of human trafficking, as mentioned by the ministry, but will only add more problems. This is not the first time that the Thai state is thinking like this, but every time they come up with such ideas, they always face opposition from those in the academia and NGOs, and yet almost every government comes up with similar ideas.

Why doesn't such a policy, if imposed, not cover pregnant white-collar expatriates from better-off nations with better salaries?

The Labour Ministry thinks they can take care of themselves. Also, their number may not be as high as the three neighbouring countries.

In other words, they value white-collar workers more than blue-collar workers.

What are the main problems facing migrant workers to date?

It is still mostly about exploitation and labour rights violation, be it in wages, working conditions or violation of basic rights, such as confiscation of Identification Cards so they cannot travel [outside the province]. These are long-standing problems.

There's also the problem with enforcement of the law that protects migrant workers, which is good but hardly enforced. The lack of interpretation and documents in the language of the migrant workers, the lack of rights to unionise and lastly, the negative attitude towards migrant workers due to the historic view of neighbouring states as enemies.

Why do these migrant workers, particularly in Bangkok, seem "invisible", unlike Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong, where they can congregate and have a picnic in the city centre every Sunday?

There's two main issues. First, the Thai middle class in the city views migrant workers as a threat or posing a problem to them. This includes the historical and ethnic bias, as mentioned. It has resulted in migrant workers not being able to fully reveal themselves, as those around them may not be happy or it may lead to troubles. Secondly, it's about the safety of migrant workers from some government officials, who seek to exploit and extort money from them.

Are the recent political changes in Burma positive for the more than two million migrant workers in Thailand?

At one level, I see more hope for them. At least they will feel more secure to return home. I secretly wish these workers will one day become a force for development, democracy, human rights and liberty in Burma because they have learnt quite a bit from their experience in Thailand.

How is the historical animosity between Thailand and its neighbours playing out in the treatment of migrant workers here?

As far as I know, the factor ranks around the top. It makes a not-so-small number of Thais have negative impressions of people from Burma. Often, it's not just a negative view but hatred and distrust, which leads to violation of rights and disdain when these people have been violated.

What would you like to say to Thais who look at migrant workers with distrust, or see them as stealing jobs from Thais, or when bearing a child in the Kingdom they become a burden for Thailand?

First, they are human just like us. They, like Thais, have to struggle to make ends meet and maintain their human dignity. Most who I've come across have a positive view of Thai people unless they are those who've been violated or harmed.

For the past 20 years, they have become a major cog in Thai economic development. I believe that without them many businesses may be in trouble. Anyone could end up becoming migrant workers, so we should be compassionate and create a society that can co-exist with diversity.

-- The Nation 2012-07-15

[theblether]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

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Edited July 14, 2012 by theblether

[Thai at Heart]

Most that's will instantly find a way to look down their fellow Thai, so what hope foreign countries.

The most dominating factor that unites Thailand is chili in their food.

[jaltsc]

It is easy to see how Thais have a bias against neighboring nations. There is widespread bias within Thailand against neighboring communities.

[OzMick]

"Historical Bias Against Neighbouring Nations " is just a euphemism for RASCIST ATTITUDES. And it certainly isn't restricted to neighbouring countries.

[hanuman2543]

Stop teaching Thais lies about the history of Thailand and their neighbours. Stop teaching Thais that they are a kind of divine race in SEA. This adds only fuel to the prejudices Thai people already have. Do Thais want that they in other countries are treated like many foreigners are treated here?

Edited July 15, 2012 by hanuman2543

[PaullyW]

[h90]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

.

Don't think so....I expect that the Thai economic will go down a bit.

Less jobs, so when the Myanmar workers go home it will help the Thais to find a job (but just very low paid jobs).

[Thai at Heart]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

90 to 150 baht a day. You having a laugh. I gave never seen a country sooooo willing to import labor to save 45 baht a day in wages instead if paying their own.

.

Don't think so....I expect that the Thai economic will go down a bit.

Less jobs, so when the Myanmar workers go home it will help the Thais to find a job (but just very low paid jobs).

[hellodolly]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

.

Don't think so....I expect that the Thai economic will go down a bit.

Less jobs, so when the Myanmar workers go home it will help the Thais to find a job (but just very low paid jobs).

There economy may or may not go down a bit. But the end game will see it growing.

Then what is Thailand going to do It is not exactly like we have a large population that can not find work if they want to. Pull all the Burmese out of the country and you will see Thailand putting Ads in foreign papers in the help wanted section.

All so the difference in cultures will make the problem worse. For every two Burmese that quit a job they will have to find three Thai's.

[h90]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

.

Don't think so....I expect that the Thai economic will go down a bit.

Less jobs, so when the Myanmar workers go home it will help the Thais to find a job (but just very low paid jobs).

There economy may or may not go down a bit. But the end game will see it growing.

Then what is Thailand going to do It is not exactly like we have a large population that can not find work if they want to. Pull all the Burmese out of the country and you will see Thailand putting Ads in foreign papers in the help wanted section.

All so the difference in cultures will make the problem worse. For every two Burmese that quit a job they will have to find three Thai's.

I was almost falling from the chair laughing when I read "For every two Burmese that quit a job they will have to find three Thai's."

True...

I can't really predict how USA and Europe will do. But if the crises isn't bad or short than the Thais must do what other countries did.....automatisation (spelling) and increasing efficiency.

hold wait wait.....no I am wrong....take Cambodian and Laos people instead....With Hun Sen in power Cambodia won't develop too fast.

[Thai at Heart]

It won't be long before the Thais will be begging the Burmese NOT to go home...........they'll sure miss them when they're gone

.

Don't think so....I expect that the Thai economic will go down a bit.

Less jobs, so when the Myanmar workers go home it will help the Thais to find a job (but just very low paid jobs).

Then they will face the floor price of 300 baht, which companies should never have been allowed to break at 190 odd and import foreign labor anyway.

Thaland for the thais except when u can get a Burmese for less. What is the point in a law to protect Thai labor when it can be broken to hire a foreign labourer. The importation of foreign labor at rates below minimum has hurt thais and no given Thai business owners a free ride.

[hgma]

the root of the problem is nationalistic dominance....bias is just a polite explanation of this phenomena/.

[madmitch]

So, if it's a problem now, what's going to happen in 2015?