Friday, 29 January 2010 21:28 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - A guidebook to promote recognition of domestic worker rights was released Thursday at a press conference in Bangkok by the International Labor Organization.
The book, entitled ‘Domestic Work - Decent Work’, published in seven languages including Thai, Burmese, Lao, Shan and Karen, will be distributed through the Labor Ministry and labor advocacy groups. A total of some 17,000 copies are available.
Thetis Mangahas, the ILO's regional migration specialist, said in the press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) that domestic workers such as maids, nannies, drivers, security guards and gardeners should receive fair pay regardless of nationality, ethnicity or gender, according to a report in Friday’s Bangkok Post.
Additionally, Thetis said the aim of the guidebook is to help domestic workers so they do not fall into labor exploitation traps, while simultaneously empowering them with the necessary information about their rights.
According to an ILO report, ‘Domestic workers in Thailand: their situation, challenges and the way forward’, released on January 20th 2010, among all registered domestic workers in 2009, the majority (101,509 persons) were from Burma. There were 107,777 registered female domestic workers and 21,490 registered male domestic workers - with most male domestic workers serving as gardeners.
“The demand for and number of migrant domestic workers from Burma, Laos and Cambodia has been on the rise, since their salary is lower than that of Thai domestic workers. However, migrant domestic workers are more vulnerable to exploitation than Thai domestic workers, especially those below the age of 18,” finds the report.
The reports authors added that some migrant domestic workers who have lived and worked in Thailand for a longer period might be in a better position, as they are able to speak Thai and have developed support networks. According to research, the situation and working condition of migrant domestic workers differs between those living and working in border provinces and those in bigger cities.
While distributing the booklets at the FCCT, the ILO also took the opportunity to promote its conference on domestic workers scheduled for June in Geneva.
Anantachai Uthaipattanacheep, director of the Labor Ministry's legal department, said there might not be clear-cut laws to protect domestic workers, but the 1998 Labor Protection Act does provide some safeguards.
While the ministry is planning to review legal standards to better protect domestic workers, labor advocates are not happy about the time it is taking.
Anantachai added that the ministry has established two help hotlines for victims of labor trafficking and those dealing with issues related to contracts and work permits.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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