Tuesday, 14 September 2010 02:32 Mizzima News
(Mizzima) – One-thousand protesting Burmese migrant workers at the Dechapanich Fishing Net Factory in Thailand have won a victory in their battle against management, as protests are poised to enter into their eighth day on Tuesday.
In negotiations with eight workers representatives, local Immigration authorities agreed to reinstate the visas of five workers who had had their two-year visas cancelled after taking more than three sick days of leave.
The five workers concerned, though now permitted to remain in Thailand, will still need to find a new employer.
Meanwhile, the passports of the remaining Burmese workers are being verified to ensure the Khon Kaen factory has not also tampered with the details of their documents.
Despite success on the visa issue, other bones of contention remain unresolved between the migrant workers and factory authorities.
There has reportedly been no progress made on the subject of wages, though salaries are currently below the minimum wage for the Kingdom. Whereas the minimum wage is set at 157 baht (US$4.9) for an eight-hour day, workers at the plant receive only 140 baht.
Additionally, talks remain stalled over the payment of work permits.
Employees complain that if they terminate their employment prior to the end of the year, even though having their wages appropriately deducted throughout their period of employment, they are still responsible to remunerate the full amount for the work permit.
Negotiations are set to continue on Tuesday, with workers hopeful they will be dealing with more empowered and senior company representatives.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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