More than 2 million Myanmar workers in Thailand refuse junta identity cards

More than two million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have objected to taking the junta government's new identity cards. Instead, they have called on the National Unity Government (NUG) to issue alternative identity documents.

Their position emerged in a week-long online survey. According to a report in The Irrawaddy, nearly four million Myanmar workers are employed in Thailand.

In this round, at least 600,000 of them were expected to take the junta-issued Certificate of Identity, or CI. The process began on October 14 at five centres in Thailand, but the number of applicants has been very low.

To obtain the card, workers must show proof of sending 25 percent of their wages home through a junta-controlled government system. They must also meet a condition of paying 2 percent of their annual income in tax.

The workers fear their earnings will fuel the junta's war effort. They also believe that accepting the identity card would give legitimacy to the military government.

They allege that, along with collecting money and personal information, the process also carries the risk of forced recruitment into the army.

The Migrant Workers' Representative Coordinating Committee has asked for the opportunity to live and work legally in Thailand without the junta's identity card.

The survey results will be sent to the NUG's labour department so that it can take steps to issue alternative identity cards. The workers' appeal will also be delivered to the Thai government.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers and labour rights activists in Thailand have demanded that the identity card centres be reviewed or shut down.

In their view, if Naypyidaw controls migrant registration, Thailand's sovereignty and national security could be harmed.

The country's labour minister has also opposed the mandatory remittance policy, saying it goes against workers' rights.

With the survey results sent on, the workers are now waiting for a response from the NUG and the Thai government.