Open Letter from the Migrant Working Group in Thailand
December 4, 2024
Open Letter from the Migrant Working Group in Thailand
To: Her Excellency Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
The Migrant Working Group in Thailand opposes the Cabinet resolution dated September 24, 2024, and the Ministry of Interior’s announcement allowing foreign nationals from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, who have been granted temporary permission to stay in the Kingdom, to remain until February 13, 2025. The resolution and announcement, signed by Her Excellency Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul on November 28, 2024, are addressed with the following objections and concerns:
1. Opposition to the Short Registration Period:
The short registration period allows brokers to exploit migrant workers by charging exorbitant fees unnecessarily. The brief timeframe for renewing documents for over 2 million Myanmar workers in Thailand is impractical. Workers must complete the renewal process by February 13, 2025, and can only sign contracts in three locations—Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Ranong. These arrangements are insufficient given the limited timeframe and the complexity of the procedures.
2. Opposition to the Lack of Transparency in Costs:
The cost of renewing documents for migrant workers in Thailand is excessively high. Workers must pay 15,000 to 17,000 baht for renewal and an additional 2,000 baht for the name list. Some workers have their wages deducted or are forced to take loans to cover these expenses. Many decide not to renew, which causes them to fall into undocumented status, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, including human trafficking and forced labor. Workers also face fees of 4,000 to 5,000 baht for new identity booklets issued by embassies, adding to the burden due to overly complicated processes.
3. Opposition to the Management of Personal Data:
Migrant workers fear that the mismanagement of their personal data could jeopardize their safety and that of their families in their home countries.
4. Opposition to Retroactive Tax Collection and Monthly Taxes:
The imposition of retroactive taxes for one year and the monthly deduction of 2% of wages are unfair and unjustified.
5. Opposition to Mandatory Money Transfers to Myanmar:
Myanmar migrant workers are required to remit 25% of their wages back to Myanmar every month and must provide receipts as proof. Failure to do so impacts their eligibility for document renewal.
6. Opposition to MoU-based Management of Documents:
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) system is not transparent or accountable, especially under Myanmar’s current conditions. This exacerbates the difficulties and concerns faced by migrant workers in Thailand.
The proposal from the Migrant Working Group calls on the Thai government to abolish the MoU system and instead manage the process independently within Thailand. Myanmar’s lack of transparency and accountability poses significant challenges, and unilateral management in Thailand would address these issues effectively.
Respectfully,
Migrant Working Group in Thailand
- Migrant Workers’ Solidarity Community (MWSC)
- Myanmar Migrant Network in Thailand
- Migrant Workers’ Federation (MWF)
- Women Workers for Justice Group (WJG)
- Rights & Development for Migrant Workers Network
Contact Person: Ms. Suthasinee Kaewleklai Tel: 081-4328259