Previous Activities & Current Situation

Previous Activities & Current Situation

Since 1 June 1999, the youth workers� organization has focused on the support of Burmese migrant workers in the areas of health care, social services, education, democracy, and mediation between workers and factory owners. In the area of health care, the organization organized a malaria prevention and AIDS / HIV awareness training session on the Champion Factory compound, Mae Sot. Also, the organization donated medicine for malaria, dysentery, and influenza to the Tak Wool Factory in Mae Sot.

In support of the workers' social affairs, the organization has organized proper funeral ceremonies for the deceased, most recently paying respects to a worker who drowned. In addition, the organization assisted three women who were raped on 9 October 1999, calling for a fair trial for perpetrators who were linked with the factory where they worked, as well as demanding proper compensation for the victims from the factory owner. During this episode, one worker who attempted to defend the women was killed, and The organization organized a memorial service for the man, as well as securing compensation for his family from the factory owner.

Another area of focus is education, and began publishing the " Monthly Bulletin", in an attempt to coordinate workers by keeping them informed of the current situation. In addition, the organization has initiated a book drive in order to provide the workers with reading material. Also, every Sunday, workers gather to discuss the working environment within different factories, and what they can do to support each other. Democracy and human rights workshops are also provided.

Besides working to improve the living standards of migrant workers in Thailand, the organization also encourages the support of Burmese still struggling under the oppressive military regime within Burma. On Martyr's Day (19 July), the workers donated food to Burmese monks, as well as gathered to listen to speeches given by the monks. The organization also supported a celebration honoring the 8-8-88 anniversary (On 8 August 1988, a spontaneous mass uprising occurred in Burma - led by students and workers - calling for an end to military rule and the installation of democracy; this initiated a revolutionary democracy movement, led by Daw Aung Sun Suu Kyi, which still exists in Burma today), and participated in a demonstration for 9-9-99, another auspicious day for the Burmese democracy movement.
By far one of the most important services the organization offers, is acting as mediator between the workers and their employers. Due to the poor working conditions, and because the workers are often dehumanized, ill and injured, the organization attempts to call for an improvement in working conditions while simultaneously offering food and shelter to the sick and injured workers (at one point providing over 60 workers with food and shelter).

In November 1999, as the Thai authorities continued a massive operation to forcibly repatriate Burmese migrant workers; the organization offered its support to the workers in terms of food, medicine, transportation and shelter; providing for their safety in Thailand or facilitating their return to Burma. During repatriation campaigns by the Thai authorities, the organization cooperated with the NCUB's Rescue Committee to provide aid to workers in hiding.

At present, BLSO is operating two schools for workers' children in Mae Sot with the assistance of the Burma Relief Center (BRC) and rents a house for workers dismissed from the factories, as well as for unhealthy and pregnant workers. Additionally, this house is also used for some workers in hiding from the Thai authorities' repatriation campaigns.