NGO calls for Thai authorities to respect Myanmar migrant rights in Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao

[Lite Beer]

NGO calls for Thai authorities to respect Myanmar migrant rights in Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao

KOH SAMUI: -- A migrant rights NGO is calling on the authorities in southern Thai tourist resorts to respect minimum wage, work permit and social security regulations for Myanmar migrant workers who contribute to the region’s successful economy.

call to respect migrant workers in SamuiRepresentatives of the Migrant Worker Rights Network formally handed a complaint letter to the Koh Samui provincial offices on January 9, signed by MWRN President U Sein Htay Sun regarding what is alleges are systematic violations of migrant worker labour and employment rights on Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan and Koh Tao.

These three islands are all globally renowned, successful and productive tourist islands in Surat Thani Province that are a key source of income for Thailand’s economy, according to the NGO.

The letter was delivered by MWRN International Affairs AdvisorMr Andy Hall, accompanied by Human Rights and Development Foundation’s Daw Aye Mar Cho, writes Mr Hall on his Facebook page.

The letter has also been delivered to the governor of Surat Thani province and other relevant authorities.

The NGO, which supports Myanmar migrant workers’ rights, called on the Thai authorities to ensure the migrant workers receive the official 300 baht [K10,000] minimum daily wage, appropriate overtime pay, and time off. The letter calls for registration and work permits for workers, as well social security coverage, including support in the case of illness and accidents.

MWRN called for all migrant workers on Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangnan to be protected and treated in accordance with Thai and international labour and employment laws, the rule of law and general human rights.

The letter is said to be the result of three months of investigations and interviews with migrant workers on the islands.

MWRN has found migrants on the islands frequently receive a monthly salary that, when calculated based on numbers of days and hours worked per month, is below the minimum wage levels.

In addition, many are not sufficiently protected in case of illness or accidents. The NGO has come across cases of migrants who have been left destitute after an accident or illness, with little or no support provided by their employer.

-- Samui Times 2015-01-10

[khunsiam]

All the waiters and kitchen helpers tell me they earn about 5000 à 6000 baht a month!

[Rooo]

NGO telling Koh Samui , KPG & Tao employers what to do, yeah right.

[iReason]

NGO telling Koh Samui , KPG & Tao employers what to do, yeah right.

images (2).jpg

Your reading comprehension a bit off today?

The NGO is not telling them what to do.

They are reminding them of existing laws.

"MWRN called for all migrant workers on Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangnan to be protected and treated in accordance with Thai and international labour and employment laws, the rule of law and general human rights."

"...systematic violations of migrant worker labour and employment rights on Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan and Koh Tao."

"to respect minimum wage, work permit and social security regulations"

And you are an impartial moderator?

[Rooo]

Please don't pull the moderator caper,not very inventive. I can post the same as others.

NGO's are blowing in the wind. They better look at fishing boat setc......................

These practices have been on the islands for a couple of decades, What did they do the NGO'S take a cup of coffee & just wake up to it? Laws are you saying?

It will never change, if you think it will, you are a dreamer.

At least people in he hospitality industries can make some extra via tips etc.......

[samuibeachcomber]

the NGO organisation has got "buckley's " chance of thais agreeing to their requests.

Its all about me me me and to hell with anyone else.

[PoorSucker]

Post questioning moderation removed.

[Tropicalevo]

the NGO organisation has got "buckley's " chance of thais agreeing to their requests.

Its all about me me me and to hell with anyone else.

and that is not just a Thai thing.

Quite a few foreign owned businesses treat their Burmese workers just as badly.

[longtom]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Please don't pull the moderator caper,not very inventive. I can post the same as others.

NGO's are blowing in the wind. They better look at fishing boat setc......................

These practices have been on the islands for a couple of decades, What did they do the NGO'S take a cup of coffee & just wake up to it? Laws are you saying?

It will never change, if you think it will, you are a dreamer.

At least people in he hospitality industries can make some extra via tips etc.......

Just because the NGOs didn't oppose the conditions of migrant workers before doesn't mean it's OK how most of them are treated here (and in other parts of Thailand).

Even the registred ones have to follow rules akin to slavery. (you know all the rules, no phones/motorbikes, must be back in their getthos after 9PM etc. ). Luckily many employers (mostly farangs) take good care of them because they are good workers.

The unregistred ones are totally at the mercy of their employers and the police, who take away as much of their tiny salaries as they can.

I know that's the way it is here, doesn't mean I condone it!

P.S.: Many Thais and of course even more burmese staff never get a part of the service charge/tips. That is despicable in all cases!

[Rooo]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Please don't pull the moderator caper,not very inventive. I can post the same as others.

NGO's are blowing in the wind. They better look at fishing boat setc......................

These practices have been on the islands for a couple of decades, What did they do the NGO'S take a cup of coffee & just wake up to it? Laws are you saying?

It will never change, if you think it will, you are a dreamer.

At least people in he hospitality industries can make some extra via tips etc.......

Just because the NGOs didn't oppose the conditions of migrant workers before doesn't mean it's OK how most of them are treated here (and in other parts of Thailand).

Even the registred ones have to follow rules akin to slavery. (you know all the rules, no phones/motorbikes, must be back in their getthos after 9PM etc. ). Luckily many employers (mostly farangs) take good care of them because they are good workers.

The unregistred ones are totally at the mercy of their employers and the police, who take away as much of their tiny salaries as they can.

I know that's the way it is here, doesn't mean I condone it!

P.S.: Many Thais and of course even more burmese staff never get a part of the service charge/tips. That is despicable in all cases!

Don't condone it either longtom, it's just seems like a gesture & nothing more. You know as well as I do, you will get a lot supposed acknowledgement & head nodding from local government, but nothing will change.

On the other hand you read about Thailand strengthening i's attitude about human trafficking & slavery conditions.

[spidermike007]

NGO telling Koh Samui , KPG & Tao employers what to do, yeah right.

images (2).jpg

Your reading comprehension a bit off today?

The NGO is not telling them what to do.

They are reminding them of existing laws.

"MWRN called for all migrant workers on Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangnan to be protected and treated in accordance with Thai and international labour and employment laws, the rule of law and general human rights."

"...systematic violations of migrant worker labour and employment rights on Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan and Koh Tao."

"to respect minimum wage, work permit and social security regulations"

And you are an impartial moderator?

Thank you. You got that right. And someone needs to tell them what to do, since the authorities, all authorities going up the highest levels, are ignoring Samui, and have always been ignoring Samui, as if it does not exist. It has always been treated as the bastard child. All laws apply on Samui and on KP, and murder island Tao also. But, nobody enforces them. He who possesses cash, is above the law in the southern archipelago. Always has been the case. The string of recent murders on Black Island proves that. Thailand is always crying over it's tier 3 status. Well, this is a chance. An opportunity for the government to do the right thing, and protect its workers, be they Thai or Migrant. Does not matter. Humans are humans. The Burmese workers deserve every right given to the Thais. Period. A man proves he is a man, when he behaves like a man. This goes for the government especially.