The Thai government has issued ‘pink’ cards to undocumented illegal migrant workers but Myanmar migrant workers are struggling as the cost of getting one is too high, according to activists helping the workers.
Majority of the businesses came to a stop during COVID-19 pandemic and migrant workers didn’t have enough cash and so it is best if the owners paid in advance of the pink card fees and then cut from their salaries months by months according to Moe Kyaw from Yaung Chi Oo Workers Helping Group.
“Thailand government has issued pink cards since January 15. What the workers faced is they were out of their jobs or their jobs were suspended, and they didn’t have saving money to get a pink card. A pink card cost more than Baht 9000 and so they are in such a terrible state to get it,” said Moe Kyaw.
“Some were unemployed as it is COBID-19 pandemic and some went back to Myanmar. At the same time, the cost for a card is way too expensive. If we don’t have it, we will be detained and if we do, we were unable to pay,” said a Myanmar woman working in Maesot.
