Workers call for rights on May Day

_{By Hseng Khio Fah}

“The workers' main demand is an increase in their wages, as basic commodities have become expensive.

Everything is getting expensive day and day. But our wage is very small. How are we going to cover it? That's why I am asking the deputy governor to negotiate between the employees and employers about the pay," said a representative of migrant workers.

Another one said, "Some employees refuse to pay us and say we are illegal. But we are human like others. We would like to avoid these exploitations."

Other demands by the workers' statement include:

• The government has to issue the law to protect workers’ rights to cover every kind of employment particularly subcontracted workers and migrant workers with real enforcement.
• The government should provide Social Security Fund to cover for workers including non-formal workers and other migrant laborers.
• The government has to adjust fairly between employees and employers, especially subcontracted employers.

The focus of their demands was the right of workers to have equal access to minimum fair wage, medical treatment, rest and compensation for migrant and non-migrant workers in Thailand.

According to the workers, employees have agreed with some of their demands like increased pay, an increase of B 4($0.13) per day, but an official response has yet to be announced.

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