Thai Students Create Online Petition to Support
Migrant Workers
By Sai Silp
August 22, 2007
>From The Irrawaddy
A group of Thai students have set up an online
petition to gather support against provincial decrees
aimed at migrant workers, which they say are a gross
violation of human rights.
The students, who attend Mahidol University in
Bangkok, released a statement on Wednesday announcing
their online petition to collect signatures opposing
provincial decrees that restrict the rights of migrant
workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.
“These policies and practices are racist,
discriminatory and openly promote inhumane treatment
of individuals residing in Thailand," the statement
said. "We appeal to you for your support in advocating
for the immediate withdrawal of the provincial decrees
and for no further expansion of this policy into other
states.”
The decrees prohibit migrants from using mobile phones
without permission from their employers, riding
motorbikes or leaving a worksite at night between the
hours of 8 pm and 6 am. They also ban migrants from
gathering in assemblies of more than five persons.
The student group says the decrees make migrants even
more vulnerable to abuse.
“Migrant workers are reporting that police are
exploiting the decrees by confiscating workers' phones
and motorbikes and then demanding large bribes to
release them," the statement said. "Further, migrants
are forced to pay bribes to go outside after the
curfew time or to undertake legitimate activities such
as returning from work, visiting doctors or attending
religious or cultural ceremonies.”
In December 2006, the local administration of Phuket
Province in southern Thailand imposed a provincial
decree on migrant workers, citing security concerns.
Similar decrees were then passed in three other
provinces: Ranong, Rayong and Pang-nga in early 2007.
Surat Thani, Krabi and Chiang Mai provincial
administrations have adopted similar practices but
have not formalized them in decrees, which have drawn
protests from labor and rights activists.
The student group says the decrees should be withdrawn
in all provinces and the authorities should not
promote negative stereotypes of migrants.
“The Thai Government must live up to its claims to be
a free and fair society by promoting humanity and
equality,” the statement said.
The petition will be submitted to the National
Legislative Assembly by the student group and migrant
worker groups at the end of August. The petition is
located at
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support_thai_migrant_workers
Migrant Workers
By Sai Silp
August 22, 2007
>From The Irrawaddy
A group of Thai students have set up an online
petition to gather support against provincial decrees
aimed at migrant workers, which they say are a gross
violation of human rights.
The students, who attend Mahidol University in
Bangkok, released a statement on Wednesday announcing
their online petition to collect signatures opposing
provincial decrees that restrict the rights of migrant
workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.
“These policies and practices are racist,
discriminatory and openly promote inhumane treatment
of individuals residing in Thailand," the statement
said. "We appeal to you for your support in advocating
for the immediate withdrawal of the provincial decrees
and for no further expansion of this policy into other
states.”
The decrees prohibit migrants from using mobile phones
without permission from their employers, riding
motorbikes or leaving a worksite at night between the
hours of 8 pm and 6 am. They also ban migrants from
gathering in assemblies of more than five persons.
The student group says the decrees make migrants even
more vulnerable to abuse.
“Migrant workers are reporting that police are
exploiting the decrees by confiscating workers' phones
and motorbikes and then demanding large bribes to
release them," the statement said. "Further, migrants
are forced to pay bribes to go outside after the
curfew time or to undertake legitimate activities such
as returning from work, visiting doctors or attending
religious or cultural ceremonies.”
In December 2006, the local administration of Phuket
Province in southern Thailand imposed a provincial
decree on migrant workers, citing security concerns.
Similar decrees were then passed in three other
provinces: Ranong, Rayong and Pang-nga in early 2007.
Surat Thani, Krabi and Chiang Mai provincial
administrations have adopted similar practices but
have not formalized them in decrees, which have drawn
protests from labor and rights activists.
The student group says the decrees should be withdrawn
in all provinces and the authorities should not
promote negative stereotypes of migrants.
“The Thai Government must live up to its claims to be
a free and fair society by promoting humanity and
equality,” the statement said.
The petition will be submitted to the National
Legislative Assembly by the student group and migrant
worker groups at the end of August. The petition is
located at
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support_thai_migrant_workers
