A group of Myanmar workers in Nakhon Pathom have lodged a complaint against their employers about unfair charges for employment procedures and poor living conditions, a rights advocate says.
Suthasinee Kaewleklai, a coordinator for the Migrant Workers Rights Network, said a total of 149 Myanmar workers employed in a processed food factory in Nakhon Pathom's Don Tum district filed the complaint to the network yesterday, asking for help to get better living conditions.
The workers legally entered the country to work under Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that the Thai and Myanmar governments have signed, according to Ms Suthasinee.
The Labour Ministry has enforced MoUs between Thailand and neighbouring countries on the employment of migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia to tackle the smuggling of workers and curb high brokerage fees charged by job brokers.
The migrant workers also complained the shift system at the factory is not practical, Ms Suthasinee said, adding the workers are divided into shifts of 25 staff each, and take turns to work. They are not paid when they are not working, but still have to pay for daily meals and support their families in their home country, she added.
Each worker had to pay about 12,800-35,200 baht to job brokers in their country to be legally employed in Thailand, Ms Suthasinee said.
Workers must pay an additional 10,000 to brokers in Thailand to ensure they will be employed, she added.
They are burdened with high costs for employment procedures, which can be seen as a trafficking issue, Ms Suthasinee said. They have to work hard for five months to make up the costs.
Workers complained there was no agreement on work hours and their passports had been kept by employers, she added.
As for their accommodation, Ms Suthasinee said the workers complained they are forced to squeeze into tiny quarters, and there isn't even enough water for consumption.
Arak Phraommanee, director-general of the Department of Employment said he held talks with representatives from the factory asking them to improve workers' living conditions and provide better facilities for them.
All workers had agreed to return to work at the factory but some 24 workers want to wait for a change in shift management. However, employers pledged to pay daily food allowances during the wait.