Friday, 01 June 2012 12:26 Mizzima News
Aung San Suu Kyi took up the cost of the Thai nationality verification program for migrant workers with members of the government on Thursday, prior to visiting a verification center in Smut Siphon where hundreds of thousands of Burmese migrant workers live.
She also brought up the plight of one million non-registered migrants with senior officials, said an article in The Bangkok Post. She raised the issues during talks with Deputy Prime Minister Choler Yoobamrung.
They also discussed collaboration in suppressing the illegal drug trade, officials said.
Chalerm said Thailand would do its best to provide Burmese migrant workers with the same level of welfare as it does for Thai workers.
On her second trip to Samut Sakhon, she was greeted by tens of thousands of Burmese migrants, and she spoke from a balcony for about 20 minutes, saying, “Don't return home just yet, I will first try to resolve problems at home. Our home will not escape to anywhere, Myanmar is still here.”
“I don't know how long it will take, but I'll do my best to help you return,” she said.
She told workers that she knew about the role of job brokers who charged up to 5,000 baht (about US$ 170) for a Thai document that cost 500 baht.
“I hope you will be happy during your stay here and do not quarrel,” she told them. “Think as if you are in your home here, and we will be well. Don't create any disputes,” she advised.
Samut Sakhon Governor Junlaphat Sangchan told Suu Kyi that he would try to end the exploitation of workers by brokers and employers.
Watchara Waewdum, a member of the Committee on Foreign Labour Administration, said Suu Kyi was concerned that the registration and NV process was too complicated for uneducated migrant workers. He said the committee would propose that the cabinet set up a working group to study social security payments for migrant workers. Currently, they are denied access to the program.
Meanwhile, Tak Governor Suriya Prasartbundit said authorities are increasing security for Suu Kyi's visit to Mae La camp near Mae Sot on Saturday, where she is scheduled to have lunch at the camp and meet migrant workers.
The governor said that it is too early to discuss the repatriation of Karen refugees, but he expects the process to be initiated when Burma is deemed stable.
Officials expect an influx of Burmese who will try to cross the border to see Suu Kyi in Mae Sot. The Mae La refugee camp is home to more than 40,000 Karens, some of whom have lived there for decades.
Suu Kyi will also visit the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, which serves as a community hospital in Tha Song Yang district and provides good quality healthcare to the refugee and migrant populations in the area.
Aung San Suu Kyi took up the cost of the Thai nationality verification program for migrant workers with members of the government on Thursday, prior to visiting a verification center in Smut Siphon where hundreds of thousands of Burmese migrant workers live.
She also brought up the plight of one million non-registered migrants with senior officials, said an article in The Bangkok Post. She raised the issues during talks with Deputy Prime Minister Choler Yoobamrung.
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| Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi smiles as she attends the 21st World Economic Forum on East Asia in Bangkok on Friday, June 1, 2012. Suu Kyi urged Burma's government to carry out urgent judicial reform to cement recent political progress and foster clean investment in the country. Photo: AFP |
They also discussed collaboration in suppressing the illegal drug trade, officials said.
Chalerm said Thailand would do its best to provide Burmese migrant workers with the same level of welfare as it does for Thai workers.
On her second trip to Samut Sakhon, she was greeted by tens of thousands of Burmese migrants, and she spoke from a balcony for about 20 minutes, saying, “Don't return home just yet, I will first try to resolve problems at home. Our home will not escape to anywhere, Myanmar is still here.”
“I don't know how long it will take, but I'll do my best to help you return,” she said.
She told workers that she knew about the role of job brokers who charged up to 5,000 baht (about US$ 170) for a Thai document that cost 500 baht.
“I hope you will be happy during your stay here and do not quarrel,” she told them. “Think as if you are in your home here, and we will be well. Don't create any disputes,” she advised.
Samut Sakhon Governor Junlaphat Sangchan told Suu Kyi that he would try to end the exploitation of workers by brokers and employers.
Watchara Waewdum, a member of the Committee on Foreign Labour Administration, said Suu Kyi was concerned that the registration and NV process was too complicated for uneducated migrant workers. He said the committee would propose that the cabinet set up a working group to study social security payments for migrant workers. Currently, they are denied access to the program.
Meanwhile, Tak Governor Suriya Prasartbundit said authorities are increasing security for Suu Kyi's visit to Mae La camp near Mae Sot on Saturday, where she is scheduled to have lunch at the camp and meet migrant workers.
The governor said that it is too early to discuss the repatriation of Karen refugees, but he expects the process to be initiated when Burma is deemed stable.
Officials expect an influx of Burmese who will try to cross the border to see Suu Kyi in Mae Sot. The Mae La refugee camp is home to more than 40,000 Karens, some of whom have lived there for decades.
Suu Kyi will also visit the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, which serves as a community hospital in Tha Song Yang district and provides good quality healthcare to the refugee and migrant populations in the area.
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