CNI News

8 March 2024

Some factories and workshops in Mae Sot, on the Thai-Myanmar border, were dismissing legal workers for no reason and hiring illegal ones, Ko Thargyi, a person who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers. 

Doing like this was for the interests of factories and workshops and the factories and workshops hired illegal workers, saying labor certificates would be issued and then, their salaries were being underpaid monthly from the time when they started working, he added.

" Because illegal migrant Myanmar people from all walks of life have entered Thailand, employers have dismissed their legal workers in their factories for no reason. A few days ago, a factory that produces glass frames dismissed 70 workers. And then, it has hired workers who entered illegally, asking 2,00 to 3,000 baht for fee for job application. Many problems like that are taking place in Mae Sot." said Ko Thargyi.

While Thai authorities are checking Myanmar workers

Such situations arose because a lot of Myanmar people stay in Mae Sot as well as more and more absconders from Myanmar are entering. Moreover, as Thai citizens realize the administration situation in Myanmar, they were exploiting the situation, those who are helping migrant workers reviewed.

Moreover, Thai authorities are fining Myanmar people who enter Thailand through the No.1 Friendship Bridge between Myawady and Mae Sot with border pass from 1,500 to 3,000 baht reportedly. Although there is no shortage of jobs in border areas in Thailand, many workers are working without having set rights and wages there, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

"There are plenty of jobs in areas related to tourism in the season like this. Jobs are available in factories, workshops and farms as well. But those who are working without getting fixed rights and wages have been more." he said.

While seeing a workshop

Thai officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Home Affairs have carried out more strictly monitoring and inspection in wards and townships for the security, he added. 

Although most Myanmar people sneaked into Thailand through Phayathonsu and Myawady-Maesot gateways in the past, Kawthaung-Ranong border gates are being used just now by many Myanmar people who enter Thailand illegally. 

And then, many of them are being arrested reportedly.