PRESS RELEASE: 18 December 2012
INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY ACTION FROM THE MEKONG MIGRATION NETWORK
Members of the Mekong Migration Network have marked International Migrants Day through events in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phang Nga and Yangon.
On 16 December, 300 local and migrant workers marched through Bangkok and presented a petition to the Deputy Minister of Labour of Thailand demanding inclusion of migrant workers in social security and labour rights for all workers. The event was organized by network member Friends of Women Foundation, coordinating with Action Network for Migrants (ANM).
On 18 December in Chiang Mai, at a double launch, network member MAP Foundation launched its ‘REGULARRIGHTS’ paper, which compares and analyses the working and living conditions of documented and undocumented migrants in Thailand. The paper draws on information supplied by over 400 migrants who shared their experiences. Key findings in the paper show that there were improvements in general living conditions and access to services for documented migrants, however there remained serious issues related to working conditions especially occupational health and safety for all migrants regardless of their status. MAP Foundation is also broadcasting on global migrant network Radio1812 today: www.radio1812.net
Joining MAP Foundation in the double launch, the Mekong Migration Network launched a dedicated website focusing on the arrest, detention and deportation (ADD) of migrants in the Greater Mekong Subregion:www.mekongmigration.org/add. The double launch was attended by members of Thai, Shan and Burmese media, and representatives of migrant workers, sex workers, women’s groups, donor organizations and academia.
The Foundation for Education and Development (FED) held a Public Forum at the Phang Nga Community Centre, to talk about migrant rights and recent Thai Law on migration, with guest speakers from government.
Also on the 18th, for the first time, MMN was involved in a public event to celebrate International Migrants Day in Yangon, Burma. At the Traders Hotel, MMN launched the new ADD website, followed by the main event, which was FED’s launch of their new film, ‘Father School’, a story of migrant children in Thailand. The director Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi and actors from the film, together with civil society and media, joined in celebrating this global day of action.
For further information please contact:
Ms Jackie Pollock (MAP Foundation): jackie_pollock@yahoo.com / ph: 086 090 4118
Ms Omsin Boonlert (MMN): plaii@mekongmigration.org / ph: 084 687 2910
www.mekongmigration.org
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