The leader of the MHAC Alliance, AAC Ko Ye Ming, has announced that they are working together with the National Unity Government to secure legal rights and compensation for Myanmar workers who were unfairly dismissed from a factory in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. The workers were terminated after taking a day off in protest of labor rights violations, including being denied regular days off, being forced to work on holidays without proper compensation, and not receiving legally mandated benefits. The employer responded by dismissing over 50 Myanmar workers without prior notice. Due to pressure from the factory management, only nine workers dared to seek assistance from the MHAC Alliance.
The dismissals occurred on September 10th without any advance notice to the workers. The factory had been subjecting workers to excessive working hours and making unauthorized deductions from their wages, even when they presented valid medical certificates for sick leave. During the termination process, workers were made to sign documents without understanding their content, which under Thai labor law could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. The factory management has also been pressuring not only the workers but also those trying to assist them, leading to concerns about broader labor rights violations affecting Myanmar workers in Thailand.
Currently, the MHAC Alliance is working with U Naing Htun Oo, Director of the Ministry of Labor under the National Unity Government, at the local Labor Protection Office to address these violations. Ko Zin Paing, the Media and Case Officer of the MHAC Alliance, confirmed that they will continue to pursue justice for the workers in accordance with Thai labor laws. The situation highlights growing challenges faced by Myanmar workers in Thailand, who are increasingly vulnerable to unfair treatment by factories and exploitation through various fees demanded by brokers and clerks. The alliance is committed to ensuring that all labor law violations are addressed and that workers receive their rightful compensation and protection under Thai law.
