On March 3, Myanmar began issuing Certificates of Identity (CIs) to workers who were holding temporary “pink cards”. The CIs are supposed to provide a valid ID to workers who previously lacked documentation and were working illegally in Thailand.

But the new process is both time-consuming and fairly expensive for migrant laborers. To obtain a CI, workers typically need to spend 1,410 baht (US$41).

The workers have to pay a 310 baht registration fee at 7-Eleven convenience stores, then they take the receipt and pay 500 baht to the Thai immigration office for visa renewal, then pay another 500 baht for a medical check-up, and then pay 100 baht to the Employment and Worker Settlement Office.

The CI process is only open to holders of “”pink cards” with a valid visa.

U Moe Gyo, chair of the Joint Action Committee on Burmese Affairs, said the CI process is a challenge for workers who do not speak Thai.

“When [the migrant workers] arrive in Thailand, they have to renew their visa at the Thai immigration office. They have to fill in the form there. The form is written in English and Thai. Many of the workers can’t properly fill in the form. After that, they have to take the application to the second office – the Employment and Worker Settlement Office – and get another document filled out by their employer or the employer’s representative. Some workers have to hire agents to help with the paperwork so they end up paying more than the fixed rate,” he told KIC News.

U Zaw Myo Htwe, a deputy at the CI issuing center in Mae Sot, said the problems need to be resolved by the Thai side.

“These are the restrictions. We can’t solve them from our level,” he said.

Since the CI issuing centers opened on March 3, 3,951 workers have applied for the CI cards in Mae Sot, according to U Zaw Myo Htwe.

According to statistics released by the Thai Employment Office in November, over 1.79 million Myanmar migrant workers are officially working in Thailand. Over 300,000 people hold pink card, 80,000 of whom are working in Tak Province.

Workers said they don’t see any rush to line up for the CI cards.

“I have heard about the CI card. The workers who apply for them work in Bangkok and other places. I can go around Mae Sot with this pink card. So I don’t plan to apply for [the CI] because I’m planning to continue living here,” said Ko A Soe, a day laborer based in Mae Sot.

Nay Pyi Taw and Bangkok agreed to issue CIs last November, but the process was mired in delays and did not get started until March. The certificates are valid for four years, according to workers’ rights organizations.

CIs are being issued at offices based in Samut Sakorn, Mae Sai, Mae Sot and Ranong.

 Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron