August 24, 2010: (KIC)
Burmese migrant workers in Thailand say exercising their right to vote in Burma’s first national election for 20 years is confusing, complicated and difficult.
The Yaung Chii Oo Workers Association who advocate for Burmese migrants on workplace issues estimate that out of the three million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand at least 750,000 are ineligible because of their legal status in Burma.
For workers who are legally able to vote the cost of getting back to Burma is costly and many fear they will also lose their jobs.
to vote in the November 7 election because of their legal status.
Daw Cho, a factory worker and mother of four, says that like many workers who are legally able to vote, says she will not.
“If I I will lose my job. It is expensive to travel to my electorate. It is too difficult. I’m from Rangoon. I voted last time in 1990. This election will not change anything.”
Daw Cho says the last election has made her cynical about the outcome and the military regime’s purpose in holding elections in 2010.
“We suffered at the last election. Aung San Suu Kyi won, but was she allowed to take power? No, the power stayed with the military. I have no belief in this election.”
Daw Cho says the regime has been planning its election victory for a long time.
“In 2009, they [military government] increased civil servants salary and many more people become civil servants. They will order these civil servants to vote for them.”
Naw Say, a domestic worker in Bangkok, agrees with Daw Cho, that going back to Burma for the election will be difficult and says.
“I don’t think I will be going back for the election. I have to work and I will not have time to go back home.”
Naw Say has two children who stay in Pa-an, Burma with her parents.
“I send money home for my parents and children. Burma is very different from Thailand. I want development for my country. Everything needs to be improved; education, healthcare, communication and transportation. Now, it is very difficult to get a car to bring my father for his eye operation.”
Daw Cho also says Burma desperately needs good government.
“We need to improve the condition of [Burma’s] education, healthcare, economics, cost of living and living standards of people. We don’t want to see our children slave [work] in other countries.”
Daw Cho says the current political situation in Burma is not satisfactory.
“We are still very far away for the kind of government that will bring positive change to emerge. I think only a leader like Daw Suu Kyi would bring that sort of change to Burma.”
But the likely hood of Daw Cho’s political preference getting into power is remote. The 2008 constitution bans Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in the elections and in response her party, the National League for Democracy, have boycotted the elections.
