Most Myanmar migrants want to return home

[Lite Beer]

Most Myanmar migrants want to return home

Migrant workers from Myanmar work in an agricultural field in Chiang Mai.

SOME 83 per cent of migrant workers in Thailand plan to return and live permanently in Myanmar, according to a survey by Myanmar Study Centre.

The study conducted in Chiang Mai, offers insights into the opinions of young migrants on the evolving situation in their country since the democratisation process started in 2011, as well as several other issues affecting the country.

The poll of over 100 respondents indicated a strong desire to return to their home country soon. However, many feared it was not be safe for them to go back now, and even more were reluctant to say things have meaningfully improved in Myanmar since the 2010 election.

The multi-lingual, anonymous observational survey of migrants living and working in the North was carried out in March and April. Some 94 per cent of respondents said they come from Shan State.

The results, revealed by Burma Study Center News, show that most migrants plan to return to their homes within the next three-four years. But many said they were unsure and the timing would depend on the situation in their homeland as a whole than on personal circumstances.

Several migrant students said they were keen to "get more knowledge" and "finish my education" before returning to Myanmar.

A follow-up qualitative question inquired what the young migrants view as the most important issue that they would like to see to change before they return. Nearly 20 per noted the low level of development, and 16.6 per cent said lack of peace and/or freedom; 14 per cent said they would like the education system to be improved, while 11 per cent said prevalence of drug use and trafficking had to be reduced; a better economy, public health, and politics were also sought.

Asked if the situation in Myanmar had improved since the 2010 election, 75 per cent) said only slightly or not at all, while 22 per cent felt there had been moderate improvement and 3 per cent said a lot of improvement.

Asked if the situation in their home areahad improved since 2010, 55.5 per cent said not at all and 25 per cent only slightly. The migrants were split nearly equally when asked if they thought they would be safe to return now. However, despite this and a general perception that not much has improved, 55.5 per cent believed they would be happier in Myanmar.

About 50 per cent are confident or very confident that reforms would continue and the situation in the country would improve over time.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Most-Myanmar-migrants-want-to-return-home-30242162.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-31

[ezzra]

And if that ever to happened, god forbid young Thai people will actually have to let go their

multiple electronic devices get off this back asses, take their places and get dirty... On No....

[NickyBurma]

And if that ever to happened, god forbid young Thai people will actually have to let go their

multiple electronic devices get off this back asses, take their places and get dirty... On No....

Very true indeed my Burmese girlfriend whom works in Thailand saying the same wants to return home once she financially sounded to set up some sort business in her home country because its a good time to do something with it growing fast over here ...

She also said Thailand has changed a lot and would rather be close to her own family and doesn't need to be supported by me what's very appreciated on me i like a person whom knows what they wants in life and will go out and do something ...

[doctorproc156]

Good for both countries

[JesseFrank]

That will solve the overstock problem of rice at once.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[Dogmatix]

Who can blame them for wanting to go home, given the treatment and the lack of respect they get in Thailand. Previous generations of alien labourers, namely the Chinese, were allowed the right to reside and work freely in Thailand and an easy route to citizenship. Now the descendants of Chinese immigrations want to ensure that no one gets the same rights as they got. This is very different from US culture where everyone is an immigrant and most people understand that it is immigration that generates their economic growth vs the stagnation of Japan and Europe.

If Thailand doesn't pull its finger out to boost its competitiveness, Thais will have to go and work as slave labourers in Burma within a generation.

Edited August 31, 2014 by Dogmatix

[fabianfred]

Despite recent increases in tourism, Burma (the name still used by those who refuse to accept the present regime) has done nothing to change its persecution and virtual ethnic cleansing of all minorities (which added together are actually in the majority). The tourists all weild cameras, so they are carefully kept away from anywhere the military is carrying out their operations ....burning villages...raping girls and women.... forced labour...stealing crops and animals... forcing children to be soldiers against their own people...

..and some people...including some Thais... still want to force these people to go back to ...genocide...

The US loves interefering in other Countries politics...why don't they do some good for once and interfere in Burma....

[Cake Monster]

The Burmese people are treated worse than dogs in Thailand, so is it any wonder they want out.

I personally know of some Burmese people working on a small construction site that were exploited by being paid only 150 Baht / day ( by a farang ) and then the so called Thai " site manager " was pocketing 1000 baht a month from each of them also, from the money the farang gave him to pay the workers.

[belg]

i wish myanmar and other countries get more educated & can afford to pay better wages to their people, so they can return

they are only exploited overhere by arrogant thais that think they are too good for this kind of work and can underpay some dumber nation to do their menial work ...

[mojorison]

1. The poll is pretty limited if it has a sample of 100 respondents... 2. wishin' and hopin' isn't quite the same as doing... 3. I think we need more details, otherwise this story is confined to the wheelie bin, IMHO.