November update: Flood Relief

It’s been over a month that we haven’t updated our blog. It doesn’t mean that we didn’t have any interesting works to do though. Instead, we were rather obsessed by the activities we were doing.

In response to the flood, LPN relief operation can be categorised into four main areas of activities.

Emergency Relief and Rescue

 Survey at Buddhamonthon Sai 5

 Bangkhuntien

Bangkuwat

The very first priority during November was to do emergency relief operations for flood victims in particularly remote areas where other relief operations might have difficulty to have an access; for example, Lamlukka district and Bangkuwat district of Prathumthani Province, Bangkhuntien district of Bangkok, and as well as Buddhamonthon Sai 5 of Nakorn Prathom Province. After conducting the survey on the numbers of victims in each area and examine their needs, it showed that most of the victims lack an access to clean water. Therefore, we brought them clean water which is produced by our water purification plant. 

 Food donation

While in Ratchaburi province, our local-based team acted as a hotline coordinator to provide assistance to migrants who wished to evacuate from affected flooding areas. Further to that, the team helped outsource food supply for migrants living at the evacuation centre provided by the Ministry of Labour. 

Prevention

Child Protection Training

 Training the first watchdog group 13.11.2011

 Traing the second watchdog group 20.11.2011

Mr. Sompong Srakaew, director, invited the two groups of volunteers to train on how to work as watchdogs in response to possible flood in Samut Sakhon. There were many migrants who volunteered themselves to safeguard their communities. On the first training, we were honoured by the staff from Save the Children UK who came to train our first group volunteers and LPN staff on the issue of Child Protection in Evacuation Centres.

Recovery 

 At Wat Klong Maduer in Samut Sakhon, we received and assisted factory workers to claim their wage from employers as it happened that many workers had to leave flooded factories before the next cycle of their wage payment turned.

Fundraising

Fundraising programme

We went on fundraising programme selling second-hand clothes at a flea market in Ratchaburi Province, aiming to raise money to buy anti-fungal cream against Hong Kong foot for flood victims.  This activity wasn’t so successful. Nonetheless, we could meet a lot of people who had to move shortly from flood areas to stay in Ratchaburi, and had a chance to listen to their shared experiences.

Yet, December’s activities are still actively going on like always. Soon enough we are going to update our activities again. See you next time, readers. Good luck!

Hand to Hand: Safe and Clean Water for Flood Victims

Hand to Hand: Donations for Flood Victims in Thailand 2011

LPN Operation Centre for Flood Relief (LPN-CFR)

The Labour Rights Promotion Network Foundation (LPN) has established a contingency plan to prepare safe and clean water to supply to flood victims living in Central area: Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samutsongkram, and Evacuation Centres at Ratchaburi province. We have, therefore, purchased a Water Purification Reverse Osmosis Plant, which has capacity to produce 6,000 litres of clean water per day, to be installed at the LPN Office. 

Water purification reverse osmosis plant and installation cost: 209,650 Thai Baht

Anyone is interested in making financial contribution for the purchase, please contact us. 

The Labour Rights Promotion Network Foundation(LPN)

Samut Sakhon Office:

25/17-18 Mahachai Muangthong Village, Sahakorn Road,

Bang Yah Praek Sub-District, Samut Sakhon Province

74000 THAILAND

Tel: +66.34.434.726, +66.86.163.1390

Financial contribution can be transferred to:

Labour Rights Promotion Network

Krung Thai Bank Pcl.

Chamchuree Square Branch

Account Number: 162-0-09432-0

Swift Code: KRTHTHBK

Otherwise, you may transfer through PayPal. Please visit our blog, 

the PayPal button is on the right side. 

http://lpnfoundationblog.blogspot.com/

All your contributions will be highly appreciated. 

Thank you from LPN!

Safety First: The Preparation for the Flood in Mahachai

Sea rising in the inner area of Mahachai (30.10.2011, 09:42)

The flooding situation in the critical areas like Ayutthaya, Nakornsawan, Pathumthani provinces is slowly getting better. Samut Sakhon is the final channel which all water mass from northern provinces will pass by before running to the sea. However, many people here seem not to be aware of the flood. When you walk to the inner city of Mahachai, asking people about how they prepare about the flood, they would probably laughed at your question.

Mahachai is closed to the sea; flooding is, in fact, quite a usual phenomenon here. When the sea tide rises,  the low area like Mahachai market is slightly flooded in the morning, and then the water will go back to the sea in the afternoon. Therefore, many people in Mahachai perceive that the flood caused by the water mass coming from the north to Mahachai would be more or less like the sea rising period, and subsequently, they do not prepare much for the flood.

 Thai Union Community

 Po Jae Market

Po Jae Market

 Po Jae Market

Golden Community

LPN is aware of severity of the flood in Mahachai, and at the same time, we are aware of some unfortunate groups of people who may rarely have an access to the Thai news. We, therefore, work together with Raks Thai Foundation in public announcement and dissemination, hoping that residents both Thai and migrant workers in Mahachai know and understand about the flooding situation, and be well-prepared for the flood and evacuation. Since last few days, our mobile car have been going to communities; for instance, Bang Pla, Po Jae, Moo Si, Golden etc. to inform local people about the flood and what to do during the flooding. We announce, hand over the leaflet giving the instructions in three languages: Thai, Burmese, and Mon, and talk to people about the preparation. At the same time, we try to build up the key network in each area so that these people could help inform us about the situation in each community.

Soon enough, water will reach the inner city of Mahachai. Until then, we hope that more people will be ready for the flood, and less people will be affected by this flood.

Hand to Hand Project

Debriefing on Volunteers' fundraising work

We had officially completed our Aud + Dee camping since 24 October 2011. On the last day, we had a debriefing with the young volunteers regarding their fundraising for flood victims. In the final conclusion, approximately, 1,200 people received help from the Aud  + Dee fundraising project.

 Child Protection Training

After the debriefing, we trained them about Child Protection so that they may adopt this knowledge to adapt in their lives.And hopefully, they can share their knowledge to their friends and peers.

 Mr. Sompong Srakaew, the LPN Director

In the final part of the meeting, we have informed the volunteers about our ongoing mission for flood victims, the "Hand to Hand" project, which is supported by the Save the Children UK in Thailand. We name our project like this because we would like to guarantee that every penny we spend from donations will go directly to the victims' hands. And now, it is our delight to see that these volunteers are enthusiastic to help us in the new programme. Yet, we have staff, but we still need more donations both in goods and finance to keep our flood relief programme run. And these days, we make it easier for donors who would like to make a donation through credit card. It is now possible to send your donation to our LPN Foundation online. If you wish to make a donation, please see the PayPal link on your right-hand side and follow its instructions.

Finanancial contribution to goods

 Hand over relief bags to flood victims, mostly builders, at the Supalai Ville village, 
where it was one of a hard-to-reach area

Again, we assure you that your donations will go directly to the hands of those who are affected by the flood. Thank you in advance for your kind support.

Flood relief operation at Sam Khok, Prathumthani province

 The LPN team, and the crews from Department of Fisheries

At Sam Khok

Journey to affected people in Samkok

Following the fundraising activity conducted by the young campers, we could raise some fund to buy basic needs such as food, drink, medicine etc to distribute to flood victims living in the areas of Pathumthani, and Nontaburi province. After a week of emergency relief work, we found that the main obstacle for our effort is to work out with logistics. Sam Khok area in Pathumthani province can be a good example. Our goal was to distribute emergency relief bags at that remote and disastrously affected area. Even big trucks cannot bring us there! However, distance, water current and heat could not discourage our team which is comprised of LPN staff, and young volunteers to go to Sam Khok. All team members had carried cumblesome relief bags on their shoulders and walked over 10 kilometres until they met a motor boat from Department of Fisheries. With the help from this boat, they could finally distribute relief bags to affected people.

This can be just one example which we could successfully work to achieve our goal. Although the total number of affected people in Thailand are unknown, but assumably, it must be very high. We know that it is a big dream to help all flood victims, but we will do our best to respond to their basic needs!

Thai Flood

Rights Protection and Humanitarian Assistances

For All Flood Victims, under the Principle of Non-crimination, regardless of the Nationality, Race, Language, and Legal Status

                                                 The Human Rights Subcommittee on Ethnic Minorities, Stateless, Migrant Workers and Displaced Persons

The Lawyers Council of Thailand

October, 21^st 2011

According to the flood crisis, striking many provinces of the Kingdom of Thailand, a significant number of people have unavoidably become victims who are physically, emotionally, and economically damaged. Among the number, there are, also, thousands of migrant workers, suffering from not only becoming the victims, but also from language barriers which fall down between them and other Thai rescuing corps, doubling the migrants’ unfortunates.

So far, it is a great pleasure to acknowledge that many public and private sections attempt to provide supports to all victims, regardless of the nationality, race, language, and legal status. However, there are, still, some parties that are worrying and questioning about the migrants’ legal status, their entry to the country, and their domicile. As such, feelings of concern and even threat have been created. Some Thai citizens may feel unsafe to house or shelter the migrant victims. Consequently, some of these victims are not able to get access to fundamental supports and services provided, as well as, are denied from staying in temporary shelters served by both public and private offices.

As a result, the Human Rights Subcommittee on Ethnic Minorities, Stateless, Migrant Workers and Displaced Persons, under the Lawyers Council of Thailand, is realizing that, in order to solve the existing problems with migrant victims, to make certain mutual understandings to all sections, including public authorities, private organizations, and Thai society, especially FROC, is crucial and, therefore, should all be advised that;

1) All migrant workers are one of the key factors, driving the country’s economic system, especially in unpopular businesses for Thai citizens such as low-paid works and labor jobs. Hence, these workers must be respected as members of Thai society as a whole. Assisting the migrant victims in this time of flood crisis must be protected under the Human Rights and Humanitarian principles which equally applied to all individuals, regardless of their nationality, race, language, culture, and legal status. These principles are as well stated in many international laws, conventions, treaties, signed by the Royal Thai Government, and also affirmed and regulated by the 2550 Constitution.

2) Concerning the legal status of Burmese, Lao, and Cambodian workers, the Royal Thai Government has issued the certain measures that allow these workers and their attendants to temporarily stay and work in the state by registering themselves with the Ministry of Interior and filing for work permits to the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labor.

Though some workers have been verified by the NV process and, accordingly, hold the passports, visas, and work permits, some are, on the contrary, illegally entering and residing in the country. However, no matter how the Immigration Act identifies the definition of legally and illegally entering and residing, Measures and practices related to migrant workers by means of saving their lives from the flood crisis by

                        1. rescuing and transporting migrant workers and their attendants can not be considered that the rescuers and the owners or the controllers of the vehicles are violating the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 Art. 70,

                        2. assisting and sheltering migrant workers and their attendants in any kinds of accommodation, both public and private can not be considered that the persons in charge are violating the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 Art. 64,

                        3. necessarily traveling outside the registered areas in order to save lives from the flood without requesting permission prior leaving can not be considered as violating the MOI proclamation on illegal traveling outside permitted areas,

                        4. as a result of the flood and for the purpose of life supporting, necessarily changing employments and employers to the prohibited careers or without informing the authority prior changing employments can not be considered as violating the related MOL’s proclamation

                        5. medical treating migrant workers and their attendants can not be considered that such medical officers are violating the laws

                        6. in case of public authorities, including police and administrative officers who are empowered to handle with illegal migration, domestically and internationally, not arresting illegal migrant workers and their attendants can not be considered as violating the Criminal Code, Art. 157

                        7. in case of the MOL officers who are responsible for investigating illegal working cases, not arresting or proceeding the migrant workers, who don’t hold work permits or work in the unregistered careers, can not be considered as violating the Criminal Code, Art. 157, and

                        8. among other things, assisting and saving lives of all victims which are the most important things to all officers, volunteers, and citizens are required under the humanitarian regimes with respects to human dignity, greater goods of co-habitation, and great morals implied in the human rights principles.

3) The flood crisis is happening very sudden in many areas. Therefore, there are a number of migrant employees who don’t hold important identification papers such as work permits and passports because of many reasons. Some lost the papers in the flood, and some left them in the accommodations, while some didn’t have them in the first place since their employers seized the papers. Accordingly, it is crucial to achieve co-operations from all relevant departments in order to provide helps to migrant victims without concerning to the papers and their legal status. 

4) Employers who seized the employees’ papers should return them to the owners at once since seizing such papers without proper causes is illegal.

5) Public and private sectors, including employers must equally assist, support, heal, and protect migrant workers and their rights as a labor worker under the Labor Protection Act B.E. 2551 and other relevant laws.

The Sub-Committee would like to thank all sections for kindness and generosity in equally handing humanitarian helps and services to all victims without discrimination.

                                                                               

(Surapong Kongchantuk)

Chairperson

Human Rights Subcommittee on Ethnic Minorities,

Stateless, Migrant Workers and Displaced Persons

The Lawyers Council of Thailand

For more information

Surapong Kongchantuk                             Chairperson (081-6424006)

Further legal assistance

            Thanu  Ak-Chote                                Sub-committee (081-1718228)

            Nassir Artwarin                                   Sub-committee (081-6181929)

Communication

            Thipvimon Sirinupong                        Sub-committee (085-0440234)

Youth Gathering "T-Shirt, Goodwill, No Border"

Meeting before the open-box rally started 

13 October 2011

Currently, a group of young people gathering to run an activity created and administered by themselves at the LPN. Initially, their programme has been launched since last Saturday, 9th October when they had the first meeting discussing the ideas of what to do in Mahachai area, where there are a lot of Burmese migrants living and working. Apart from this original idea, these young activists have concern about the current flooding problem in Thailand, which caused many people death and homeless. Therefore, they decided to deliver their concern to Thai and migrant communities in Mahachai, and opened the box and rallied over communities for donations. It was quite a big success after all as the financial donation from Thais and Burmese migrants in Mahachai has reached roughly 19,000 Baht in 1 day (12 October 2011).

The theme of the activity: Aud + Dee (Literally, it means Show off+ Good. By their definition; however, it means they would like to show their goodness to the society even though they are still young)

The concepts of activity: T-Shirt, Goodwill, No Border

On this upcoming weekend, 15-16 October 2011, these worker group will organise a gathering event with children at Luang Pat Koson Uppatham School. Besides camping event, they will open a booth sellingT-Shirts. The profit raised from sold products will be donated to help flood victims all over Thailand.