Labour rights advocacy groups in an open letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand on July 19, appealed for a review and revision of security and rights of foreign migrant workers, who are being deported.

“We want the Thai authorities to review the security and rights of the deported labour force,” Ko Sein Htay said.

"We are looking at it as a human rights issue. Thai authorities have sent migrants back to their country. We want them to know about the route. They cannot ignore the security of deported people," he added.

The manner of rounding up migrants is inappropriate and creates problems for them, Ko Sein Htay, a spokesperson of the Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF), said.

"Thai authorities have sent migrant workers back to DKBA's gate and the 999 gate. When deportees arrived at the 999 gate, they were asked for money. If they are unable to pay they are made to work forcibly. Brokers take the deportees back to Thailand. It's a vicious circle," he said.

In the open letter, labour rights advocacy groups want Thai authorities to make labour cards rather than arresting and deporting migrants.

Even though Thai authorities have arrested and sent migrants back, Burmese migrants still come to Thailand in myriad ways, U Moe Swe, in-charge of Yaung Chi Oo labour group, said.

"To implement this issue in reality is potentially less effective. Even though authorities arrest migrants and deport them, Burmese migrants come into Thailand in many ways because of economic hardships in Burma," Moe Swe said.

A Thai cabinet ministers’ meeting decided early this month that Thai authorities would effectively fight human trafficking from August. There will be more corruption if Thai authorities fail to implement this issue effectively, Moe Swe said.

According to Thai government's official statistics, there are about 1,300 Burmese migrants among over 3,000 migrants arrested since June
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