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Women's rights activists sought Thai gov grantee |
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by Usa Pichai
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Wednesday, 11 March 2009 22:51 |
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - International rights group in Chiang Mai organized an event on Sunday to commemorate International Woman Day, March 8th and call Thai government to guarantee rights of woman, include migrant woman workers from neighboring countries as a significant part of economic drives.
Hundreds of participants from several groups include Empower and Migrant Assistance Program (MAP) which are labour rights non-government organization and We Get Together which is a group of migrant woman workers gathered on Thapae Road and walked to Three King Monument in the heart of town where they organized an event in the Sunday evening.
Jackie Pollock, a founding member of the Chiang Mai-based Migrant Assistance Program , who works closely with migrant laborers in Chiang Mai called Thai government to halt policy to deport migrant worker from Burma.
“Migrant workers are important for Thailand’s economic, particularly to solve problem from global economic crisis.” She said. “So, deportation may lead the migrants worker to change destination to other countries that would be a negative impact to Thailand‘s economic.”
While, a participant from We Get Together group said that current situation of migrant worker from Burma in Chiang Mai is vulnerable because of the government restriction.
“We are in fear of arresting and deportation. Beside that next year Thai government will not open for migrant worker registration which mean our future in this country will be more difficult .” She added.
Previously, local officials in Chiang Mai has raised restriction on migrant worker, after a crime case alleged two men workers from Burma raped and murdered a university student in Chiang Mai in February which has drawn fear to local community. The case is under investigation.
We Get Together also called for equality of wage between male and female workers. In addition, the rights of migrant worker should be adjust as Thai workers include rights to access public medical service, to travel in country freely and to have more education.
The group also called related authority to approve that domestic works is a career that could be register in Thai law, so that domestic worker’s right will be protected by law similar as other jobs.
Currently, there are estimated 100,000 workers from Burma works in Chiang Mai both legally and illegally, mostly are Shan. Many of them are women work as domestics workers but generally did not register or registered as other kinds of work because under Thai law did not recognize this kind of work as a job.
Chiang Mai Municipality Mayor, Dr Duentemdoung Na Chiang Mai presided over the event opening ceremony. The activities include performances, stage talks and end with a special activity when hundreds of participants pulled a 6 wheels truck for ten metres to represent that the women’s power could drive social and economic of the society.
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