A Myanmar worker named Ko Aung Zaw Lin died in a workplace accident at a chicken processing factory in Sala Phuli, Thailand, and the WAG Workers Alliance Group had to intervene to prevent the employer from cremating the body without notifying the deceased’s family. The incident occurred on August 25 when a hot water boiler used for cooking chicken burst, causing Ko Aung Zaw Lin to suffer severe burns. He lost consciousness at the scene and was taken to Sala Phuli Hospital, where he later died on August 27 while receiving medical treatment.
Ko Aung Zaw Lin had been working at the factory for over two years through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) system, having signed a contract through the GMK agency in Myanmar. Following his death, the employer attempted to arrange cremation without informing the family members, prompting WAG to step in and prevent this action. As an MOU worker, he was entitled to embassy certification documents, which are necessary for claiming compensation (Pakan Sachon). The case highlights the importance of proper documentation and following legal procedures in workplace fatality cases involving migrant workers.
Ko Mone Tine from the WAG Workers Alliance Group explained that they had to stop the employer from proceeding with cremation without family notification. He emphasized that the necessary documentation was incomplete, which was grounds for preventing the cremation. The organization is now working closely with the family members who sought their assistance. He further clarified that in cases of workplace deaths involving Myanmar nationals, employers have no right to remove or cremate bodies without the knowledge and signatures of the deceased’s family members. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand and the crucial role of worker advocacy groups in protecting their rights and ensuring proper handling of workplace accidents.
