CNI News

16 Feb 2023

As Thai authorities have not announced the location where they will carry out search operations, undocumented Myanmar migrant workers are required to be cautious in Thailand, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

In the past, Thai authorities announced the locations where they would carry out search operations and it was easy for undocumented workers to move to safe places. However, Thai authorities have not announced the locations and undocumented Myanmar workers are required to be cautious, labour activists have warned.

Some Myanmar hawkers are detained in Thailand.

Advisor U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "Thai authorities conducted surprise checks and detained undocumented workers. The number of arrests have increased. In the past, Thai authorities had allowed undocumented workers to apply for documents for a certain period and rounded up workers who were still undocumented by announcing the locations where they would conduct search operations. So, it was easy for undocumented migrant workers to move to safe places. Now, they are conducting surprise checks everywhere. So, undocumented workers are required to be cautious."

The number of arrests have increased because some Thais made complaints to authorities, according to labour activists.

Myanmar migrants make up the largest number of detainees and they were mostly arrested in factories and workshops and at roadside food stalls.

Under Thai laws, Thai citizens only are permitted to set up roadside food stalls but some Myanmar migrants are setting up roadside food stalls because they do not understand Thai laws, labour activists added.

Labour Activist U Min Oo from the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "Some Myanmar migrants do not take the matter seriously. They need money for costs for documents and accommodation so desperately that they take whatever jobs they can get to solve difficulties they currently face. So, they are arrested.

Thai police personnel.

Some Myanmar workers were arrested after annoying Thai residents, who reported the incidents to the Thai police. So, undocumented migrants should avoid such undesirable incidents, labour activists said.

Recently, the number of arrests of Myanmar workers have increased while some Myanmar workers and agents were murdered in Thailand. However, some Myanmar workers were accused of killing a Thai employer over a dispute over wages.

Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, " As a Thai employer was killed by Myanmar workers, local residents are displeased with Myanmar workers. So, authorities are likely to conduct search operations against illegal migrants. The political situation of Thailand also plays a part. And it is time for migrant workers to renew their documents. So, illegal migrants including Myanmar nationals are likely to be arrested."

Although Thailand is a neighbouring country that hosts millions of Myanmar workers, who have been exploited and abused for many years.