Thailand & Burmese migrant workers

[bretty]

Here is an interesting article that highlights some of the struggles of Burmese migrant labourers in Thailand. I found it interesting it outlines the logical structure nowadays between employers and migrant workers which you can find almost anywhere between bordering countries particularly those with humanitarian concerns such as Burma.

Article is here: http://www.dvb.no/analysis/thailand%E2%80%99s-labour-flashpoint/12170

I'm currently working in Thailand, and so this has become an interesting topic of discussion for me. Any thoughts on the article or on related issues?

A quick point I would like to make, is these sort of events really show the failures of moral economies, it shows a fundamental significance of organizing around one's labour.. This point regarding the end of the article where it discusses the reliance on employers to maintain work permits.

-B

[Tavarisch_Mike]

How is the relation between migrant workers and naitives?

[bretty]

In some cases it isn't good, because of the overwhelming NGO presence helping Burmese migrants compared to Thai citizens.. I'm not sure what other reasons but sometimes its a wary relationship. Some border cities are predominantly Burmese migrant workers. Some people don't care or are welcoming.

-B

[Patchd]

I have family in Thailand but haven't been back to see them for a long time now. The Burmese migrant workers get a lot of shit in Thailand, only recently I believe Abhisit introduced a new policy, which he argued was going to allow Burmese workers to get free healthcare, but in reality, it was to draw a number of them out of their hiding places so that the Thai government could deport them. Many Burmese migrants didn't comply, which was illegal, but their reasoning for it was their fear that the Thai government were going to hand over their information to the Burmese government.

They get a lot of shit from the Thais too, who as I'm sure you've worked out by now, have a massively nationalistic culture, and there's still a lot of dislike towards the Burmese, as well as the Laotians, Cambodians etc. The recent floods have hit a number of towns which have Burmese migrants, I remember going to Prachuap Kirikan last time I went to Thailand to see my mum's friend, and there are a number of Burmese living there. I'm sure that these will be the last people to be saved.

[bretty]

Yeah unfortunately it's true. However recently the Thai authorities said they wouldn't deport the migrant workers, I think because of international pressures and plus they get some healthy cheap labour from it, we'll see what happens after tomorrow. Burma is having it's first election in 20 years.. that's a whole other story. Could be quiet, or could be the start of something.

-B

[Patchd]

It would be for the cheap labour more so than anything else, the deportations are merely a nationalistic outlet. Burmese workers are far lower paid than Thai workers, and they are also usually subject to a lot of police harassment. The state's quite heavy on workers' organisations too, 46% of the country aren't allowed to unionise as employees in 'state enterprises' are forbidden from doing so. You can imagine this will be worse for migrant communities.

I hear there are also speculations that Abhisit may call elections earlier due to his poor handling of the floods in the south, have you heard anything about this? Either way, along with this, I also read that military commanders are worried about forthcoming elections in Thailand out of fear that the UDD will win and thus put them on trial for events from the coup in 2006, including the killing and injuring of people in the protests earlier this year.

[bretty]

I haven't heard much about that, I've been following the Burmese election and political situation recently.. on the Burma side of Mae Sot there is heavy fighting going on in Myawaddy a renegade faction took over control of the town and 200 burmese military dissented to their side. Now the burmese military are fighting back, and some casualties have happened on the Thai side as well from misplaced grenades.

Apparently the renegade DKBA group were called in because the burmese military was threatening to shoot those who didn't vote. I wouldn't be suprised.

In regards to the Thai situation, any good english news outlets? unfortunately I don't read much thai news because I can't speak Thai very well if at all.
-B

[NoOneIsIllegal]

I read an interesting book earlier this year titled For Us Surrender Is Out of the Question. It deals with the history and current situation of the Karen people (Burmese origin) currently residing on the Burma-Thailand border. Seems like people are true refugees. They have to pay off police constantly (which is difficult given their low-income) and always have to watch their back.
Something must be done about Burma. So fucked up...

[Patchd]

In regards to the Thai situation, any good english news outlets? unfortunately I don't read much thai news because I can't speak Thai very well if at all.
-B
Thanks for that info, I hadn't heard about those incidents across the border, although Burma, and Thailand for that matter, have a history of internal conflict, coups, and 'liberation' groups. But I usually get my info from a host of different sources. If you want general news from a non-'left- perspective then the Bangkok Post should be good for that;
http://www.bangkokpost.com/
... as well as ...
Bangkok Pundit blog (http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog)
This is the blog of Giles Ji Ungpakorn (http://wdpress.blog.co.uk/), his family is famous in Thailand because of his dad's former position in government, enacting some welfare reforms. His brother still resides in Thailand I think, but Giles exiled himself in early in 2009 after being charged under the lese majeste laws. He now lives in Britain and is in the Socialist Workers Party as they share the same International to the group he was involved with in Thailand; กลุ่มประชาธิปไตยแรงงาน (Workers Democratic Group)

Otherwise it's good to find some sources from facebook as many Thais do not have access to the blogs or independent sites (due to censorship).

EDIT: Just got linked to this; http://www.dvb.no/news/up-to-5000-refugees-flee-into-thailand/12704

[bretty]

Yes I saw that too, I was just in Mae sot a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what to think of the whole situation.

-B