Migrants flock to see Suu Kyi

Bangkokpost, Published: 31/05/2012 at 07:53 AM       

MAHACHAI, SAMUT SAKHON : Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi told thousands of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand that she was working to pave the way for their return home.

Aung San Suu Kyi speaks toMyanmar migrantworkers in the fishing town of Mahachai in Samut Sakhon yesterday. TheMyanmar opposition leader is in Thailand to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia which started yesterday. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

Shortly after arriving yesterday at the office of the Migrant Worker Rights Network, Mrs Suu Kyi appeared at the balcony of the office's second floor to deliver a brief speech to migrants who had waited outside for hours to welcome her.

"I've come to Thailand to learn about your conditions and I will never forget your problems," she told the workers.

"I'll try to develop our country so that you can go back home and apply your skills and knowledge and make our nation prosper." Mrs Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy, is scheduled today to meet Chalerm Yoobamrung, the deputy prime minister and chairman of the Committee on Foreign Workers Administration.

The two are expected to discuss the problems facing migrant workers.
As Myanmar opens its doors to democracy and Southeast Asia prepares to integrate into the Asean Economic Community in 2015, Bangkok is worried that migrant workers will return home, leaving Thailand short of cheap labour.

Workers have complained about the high cost of national verification and registration and loopholes in heathcare, with half of all registered migrant workers without social security coverage.

Samut Sakhon governor Junlaphat Sangchan said the province has improved facilities to support migrants.
''Now we have 1,000 Myanmar-speaking health volunteers stationed at the tambon levels to help migrants communicate with officials,'' he said.

After her appearance at the balcony, Mrs Suu Kyi spoke inside the office with a group of migrant workers to hear the problems they faced working in Thailand.

After learning of their problems, Mrs Suu Kyi suggested they set up a centre to exchange information and lessons learned in order to improve their ability to protect their own basic rights.

She told the workers she will raise their issues with Thai authorities as well as at the International Labour Conference in Geneva next month.

Euphoria engulfed the streets of Samut Sakhon as thousands of Thai and Myanmar citizens welcomed the arrival of the 67-year-old Nobel laureate.

Before hearing the workers' first-hand stories, Mrs Suu Kyi's convoy made a brief stop at the local prawn market, an important industry in Samut Sakhon.

She was greeted with placards reading ''Free Burma'', ''Long Live Democracy in Burma'', ''We Want to be Free from Slavery'' and ''When will We Be Able to Go Home''.

The crowd also chanted similar messages.

Mrs Suu Kyi arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night, her first trip abroad in over two decades.

The daughter of revolutionary leader Aung San, who founded the modern Myanmar army, had not left the country since returning from England in March 1988 to care for her dying mother.

During her visit she will attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Bangkok, where she will deliver a speech.

Sein Htay, Samut Sakhon coordinator for the Human Rights and Development Foundation, spoke with the opposition leader yesterday.

She said she could not promise to solve all the troubles of migrant workers but would still try her best to alleviate them.

''She concluded that many problems stem from migrants' ignorance of immigration and labour laws,'' he said.
''She said both Thai and Myanmar governments must do better to help workers gain access to necessary information and enforce the law.''

MAINPHOTO Myanmarmigrant workers raise their hands in the air as they greet the arrival of Aung San Suu Kyi in Mahachai fishing townofSamutSakhon yesterday. CHAMLONG BOONSONG
TOP TO BOTTOM Mrs Suu Kyi waves to Myanmarworkers whoturn up to meet her atMahachaiamid tight security. CHAMLONGBOONSONG
Security guards try to cordon off workers from Mrs Suu Kyi’s motorcade. PHONGTHAI WATTANAVANITVUT
Myanmarworkers wait on the roof of their flat to catch a glimpse of Mrs Suu Kyi. PHONGTHAI WATTANAVANITVUT
YoungMyanmar womenhold placards and flags to greetMrs Suu Kyi. PHONGTHAI WATTANAVANITVUT

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