[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
Bangkok Post (12/11/99)
<html>
<font size=4><b>Lives placed in jeopardy<br>
</font><font size=3>T</b>he crackdown on illegal workers has jeopardised
the safety of thousands of people who fled persecution in Burma, Amnesty
International said yesterday.<br>
Authorities have deported more than 1,500 illegal Burmese workers over
the past week.<br>
"Many with well-founded fears of persecution in Myanmar [Burma] are
at risk of being returned with no opportunity to claim asylum,"
Amnesty said.<br>
"Amnesty International is further concerned at reports that those
deported are being refused entry or being arrested for illegal entry by
the Myanmar authorities.<br>
"This has resulted in many being stranded in the Moei river which
separates Thailand from Myanmar.. and in the surrounding jungle on Thai
territory where they have no food, water or shelter."A number of
people were reported to have drowned while trying to return to
Thailand.<br>
The repatriation has been complicated by Rangoon's decision in October to
close its border with Thailand. <br>
-----------------------<br>
</font><font size=4><b>House panel blasts alien labour policy<br>
</b><i>Incentives to hire locals suggested<br>
</font></i><font size=5><b>T</font></b><font size=3>he policy on foreign
workers was condemned yesterday by the House labour panel which said
related cabinet resolutions should be lifted.<br>
The government policy had been shown to be flawed by the current
problems, said Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, a panel member. Rather than launch a
crackdown, said the New Aspiration MP, the government should offer
employers incentives to hire local labour and apply tax penalties on
those who employ aliens.<br>
Mr Ekkaporn also suggested the government consider setting up a special
economic zone in border provinces. The prime minister has rejected calls
to set up a zone in Mae Sot district, Tak, saying the issue needed to be
addressed on a wider scale. Chalerm Siriket, his panel colleague, said
the repatriation drive was crippling business while barely making a dent
on the estimated one million illegal workers in the country.<br>
Members agreed the problems would continue as long as there was a pool of
cheap labour.<br>
Niyom Vaiyaratpanit, chairman of the border trade committee, told the
panel aliens in Tak were paid 80 baht a day with accommodation, food and
medical treatment.<br>
The panel launched its attack as the Board of Investment warned employers
they could lose their promotion privileges for employing illegal
labour.<br>
Pairot Sompouti, the board's assistant secretary-general, said there was
a clear policy to promote only industries that employ local labour. Four
textile firms have asked the board to ease the criteria by allowing them
to employ illegal workers, but their requests were turned down.<br>
Mr Pairot said most local industries are still labour-intensive. Some
need to hire illegal workers because local labour costs more.<br>
Many factories along the border employ illegal foreigners. Some also have
promotional privileges.<br>
Mr Pairot said board officials would not take any action against the
firms until they are officially informed of a breach by the Labor and
Social Welfare Ministry.<br>
An official at the ministry said the number of illegal workers has
increased to around one million from an estimated 980,000 last
year.<br>
Most are employed in the export sector, where production remains
labour-intensive.<br>
Local exporters experience stiff competition from Indonesia, China and
Vietnam where labour is cheaper.<br>
Many opt to set up factories along the border so they can use illegal
workers, who are paid 30-50 baht daily, against 100-130 baht for local
workers.<br>
According to the ministry, there were 106,684 foreign workers legally
employed by local companies in September.<br>
Of these, 19,824 were in Samut Sakhon, 12,007 in Ranong, 7,781 in Surat
Thani, 7,451 in Chumphon, 5,736 in Phang-nga, 5,308 in Phuket, 5,055 in
Chiang Mai, 3,977 in Trat, 3,930 in Ratchaburi, 3,688 in Kanchanaburi and
the rest in other provinces. Most of the illegal aliens are employed in
the construction, fisheries, rubber, fruit and food-processing
industries. <br>
---------------------<br>
</font><font size=4><b>Reward for embassy negotiator<br>
</font><font size=3><i>But his employer stands in the way<br>
</i>Temsak Traisopon<br>
</font><font size=5>A</font></b><font size=3> former director of the
Maneeloy holding centre in Ratchaburi is to be rewarded with a pay rise
and promotion for his role in resolving the Burmese embassy hostage
drama, a source said yesterday.<br>
Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart has ordered the Corrections
Department to reward Chaiyapruek Sawangcharoen with a two-step pay rise
and a promotion to C-7 level, said the source.<br>
The former director helped negotiate with the five Burmese raiders and
then boarded a helicopter with Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand
Paribatra and accompanied the five students to the Burmese border.<br>
However, the Corrections Department felt uncomfortable with the order
because Mr Chaiyapruek does not fulfill the criteria for promotion to
C-7.<br>
Under the regulations, those being promoted to C-7 must take an exam and
only those who receive a 13,680 baht salary are eligible to take
it.<br>
Mr Chaiyapruek was the director of the holding centre when he was with
the permanent secretary's office. He later asked to be transferred to the
Corrections Department and he was about to take up the a post at Thon
Buri Special Prison on Oct 1 when called to help resolve the hostage
situation.<br>
Interior permanent secretary Chanasak Yuwaboon yesterday played down the
protest by new Burmese students who arrived at Maneeloy holding centre on
Wednesday.<br>
He said the newcomers were not happy when they found out they were to be
separated from the old students at the centre. Officials had a fence put
up to keep students from the main office after staff of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees were locked up.<br>
Mr Chanasak said the problem had been solved as the provincial governor
agreed to put the new and old students together.<br>
The separation had been intended to faciliatate the control and
enforcement of rules and regulations.<br>
----------------------<br>
<br>
</font>
<BR>
</html>