Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

10 May 2016
Suu Kyi says government plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand
Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai (L) and Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (R) at a joint press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Myanmar) in Nay Pyi Taw on 9 May 2016. Photo: Min Min/Mizzima

Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi said the Government has plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.
Suu Kyi was speaking at a joint press conference after a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai, who visited Nay Pyi Taw as a special envoy of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha, on May 9, 
Although she did not reveal details of the plan, she said the Myanmar government had plans to take care of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.
The Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai said, “Children of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand get schooling in Thailand. And Myanmar workers can enjoy the right to receive medical treatment like Thai workers. We will work in order that Myanmar workers have equal rights. Myanmar also has a duty to address some matters related to Myanmar workers in Thailand.”
Before the meeting with Suu Kyi, the Thai Foreign Minister met with the President HtinKyaw. In the meeting, President Htin Kyaw urged the Thai Foreign Minister to give Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand equal rights.
At the press conference, the Thai Foreign Minister said 1.59 million Myanmar migrant workers have been registered legally in Thailand.
Thailand’s Bangkok Post reported that according to Thanit Sorat, founder and former secretary-general of the Thai Myanmar Business Forum, about 1.6 million documented Myanmar migrants now work in Thailand, while a further 1.6 million are unregistered.