Burmese migrant workers stage labour rights protest

Monday, 03 January 2011 22:39 Aung Myat Soe

(Mizzima)- More than 300 Burmese migrant workers protested against labour rights violations today in Bangkok.

Burmese employees of the SYK Autopart Import-Export Co. Ltd in Thakarm Road, Bangkhunthian, successfully pressed the company to meet six key demands.

The demands included the right to paid national holidays, the right to medical leave, and the right to obtain temporary passports and work permits, as well as for the installation of CCTV cameras in the workplace so hours of work could be properly recorded.

The workers protested in company uniforms.

“We wrote our demands in Thai and delivered them to management”, Ko Soe, a protest organiser told Mizzima.

The demonstration started this morning at 8 a.m. By 11 a.m. ten migrant worker delegates had reached an agreement with company representatives in the presence of local police.

Prior to today’s protest, workers had to give at least 30 days advance notice of resignation.

After today’s’ negotiation, they are now required to give only 15 days prior notice.

In addition, workers now have the right to complain about their salary and conditions, and the right to have a pre-employment ‘security deposit’ collected by the company of 1,000 Baht reimbursed upon leaving the company.

Ko Soe explained that “Some (employees) have worked for the company for more than three years. Despite knowing our labour rights were being violated, we didn’t dare to complain”.

"But since December 29, we have campaigned to secure our rights”, he stated.

Ko Soe added, “We have all got passports and visas. I encouraged workers by saying that the police must have a valid reason to arrest us”.

S.Y.K Autopart Import-Export Company Limited manufactures motorcycle helmets, spare parts, and accessories, including the popular Index Helmet range. It employs around 500 people including more than 300 Burmese migrant workers.