[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

CNA-Thai deportation of illegal Mya



Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: CNA-Thai deportation of illegal Myanmar workers comes under fire

Channel Newsasia
Tuesday, November 9 10:03 PM SGT

Thai deportation of illegal Myanmar workers comes under fire
Thailand is in the process of deporting thousands of illegal workers to
Myanmar, but the move appears to be degenerating into disarray.
The plan is provoking criticism from both human rights advocates and Thai
industries, which fear a shortage of workers.

As quickly as these illegal workers are sent back, many hundreds return.

Many of them do not want to return to Myanmar; the money in Thailand's
better, and some fear political repression back home.

Human rights activists want the repatriation plan to be stopped.

"I think this is a kind of humanity violation. They should really give up
this and let them stay peacefully, at least temporarily, in the area," said
Somchai Homlaor, a human rights advocate.

Factory owners are worried they are being left without a workforce.

It is estimated that around one million people from Myanmar work illegally
in Thailand in jobs such as the seafood industry and construction.

Besides Thai businesses, the plan has also further strained ties between
Bangkok and Yangon, made worse by the seizing of the Myanmar embassy in
Thailand five weeks ago by a group of Myanmar student rebels.

The incident turned into a huge propaganda coup for the rebels; Thailand's
interior minister referred to them as freedom fighters, and not terrorists.