The number of Myanmar migrant workers going to Thailand has significantly increased during these months despite unfair payment there, according to sources from overseas employment agencies.

The Federation of Overseas Employment Agencies said employers from Thailand has also increased asking for more workers from Myanmar, requesting over 5000 workers a month now. They previously had asked for 3,000 workers a month.

Though Thailand’s employers must pay all employees at least 300 baht (about $10) a day as the official minimum wage, Myanmar workers working there in rural towns are reportedly receiving just around 200 baht a day. The workers only in Thailand’s big cities were said to receive 300 baht a day.

“They are informed that they will receive 300 baht a day in Thailand. But, they didn’t get that amount. And the Thailand’s employers have paid nearly 10,000 baht in advance for costs such as medical check-ups, arranging calling visas and transportation charges for the workers.”

“So they [workers] have to repay 1,000 baht per month from their salaries for ten month. But the employers take more than the amount which is agreed upon in the contract. The workers sent their complaints to the Ministry of Labor, the federation and other related NGOs,” said Min Hlaing, the chairman for the federation.

Most workers from Myanmar are now in southern Thailand, working generally in construction and manufacturing factories.

“Our company sent 200 workers to Thailand on June 27. They are now working in factories there. We have direct connection with a Thai recruitment agency. We will send 80 more this month. Most of the workers we sent are now working in Bangkok. They get 300 baht a day,” said Cho Cho San, the managing director from Chitsayar Overseas Employment Agency.

By Eleven Media

Published on 7 July 2013