Mawlamyine, March (16)
Arrests of Myanmar migrant workers who are illegally crossing the border into Thailand are on the rise, according to organization that assists migrant workers.
Despite the Thai government’s daily crackdown on Burmese migrant workers crossing the Thai-Myanmar border, the number of illegal immigrants has risen.
At least 4,000 to 5,000 Myanmar migrant workers are arrested each month as a result of such intrusions, U Aung Kyaw, an adviser to the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) said.
“About 4,000 people are arrested every month, and the list of those who escaped without being arrested is unknown. Due to the scarcity of jobs in the country, although they knew they would be arrested, they took a risk as a way out” he said.
Due to a lack of job opportunities at home, Myanmar migrant workers are crossing the border illegally into Thailand.
Thailand has faced acute labor shortages and the government has announced that it will recruit migrant workers under an MOU system, but because of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, it is scheduled to recruit workers next April.
The labor activists urged Myanmar migrant workers not to take the risk and come only through the official MOU system because of the arrests.
News – Than Lwin Times