Thursday, 29 April 2010 18:58 Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Migrant workers who work near the sites of now six-week old political protests in Bangkok have suffered financial losses and raised stress levels by security restrictions from both government security officials and the anti-government “red-shirt” demonstrators.
International Rescue Committee advocacy officer Adisorn Kerdmongkol told Mizzima the majority of migrant workers in Bangkok were not directly affected by the protests but that they were obstructed from work and feared travelling around the city, especially near the main demonstration site at the Ratchaprasong intersection in the city’s biggest shopping district. Mr. Adisorn works closely with migrants from Thailand’s neighbours.
“There is a migrant learning centre near the demonstration area but workers can’t attend classes and fear leaving their accommodations,” he said.
Mr. Adisorn said migrants workers just want to work in Thailand and want to stay away from the unrest as they were aware of government concerns about migrants taking part in protests.
Since the demonstration started last month, the authorities have urged employers of migrant workers to monitor their employees to ensure they refrain from joining political movements after claims by security officials that some groups have brought in migrant workers to fill their ranks.
The Ministry of Labour also warned migrant workers that if officials found them participating in internal political movements their temporary permission to live in Thailand would be revoked.
Wanchai, an ethnic-Mon worker in a small restaurant near Ratchaprasong said the several checkpoints set up by officials made it difficult for him to travel to work. “Even though I have a work permit they asked many questions that made me scared,” he said.
He could continue to work, he said, but a number of construction labourers in the area had to stop work because they were prevented from taking tools and equipment to building sites.
“It made them worried because they are losing pay, which is handed out on a daily basis. The violence also made us worried about safety,” he said.
Red-shirts demonstrators had also set up checkpoints and barricades on streets leading to the protest sites to screen people and protect themselves from other groups, the police and the army.
According to Ministry of Labour estimates, 200,000 migrants mainly from Burma work in Bangkok.
However, the political turmoil has spread to several other provinces.
A Shan construction worker in Chiang Mai said police had stepped up inspections of trucks that carry them to work on construction sites.
“Many of us who don’t have work documents are scared to leave home because the restrictions are greater,” the Shan worker said.
Officials have increased restrictions on people’s movements and weapons searches after several bomb attacks in crowded places, including a department store and outside the Chiang Mai Administrative Court this month.
The ministry said it would support small-to-large enterprises in the business sector and aid at least 20,000 workers affected by the crisis, with relief funds to compensate those laid off or who have suffered wage cuts.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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