TUC Aid Tsunami Relief Programme - Update - Thailand

Update

Tsunami Relief Programme

Thailand

TUC Aid expresses its gratitude to all those who contributed generously to the Tsunami Appeal in 2005. A total of £320,000 was raised through the Appeal. We are pleased to let you know that, thanks to your generous support, we are helping thousands of people affected by Tsunami waves to rebuild their lives in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The proceeds of the Appeal are used to fund four projects aimed at long-term rehabilitation of those affected by the disaster. In addition, TUC Aid donated £25,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal in January 2005. It also made a contribution towards the cost of a conference organised by Tourism Concern on the post-Tsunami reconstruction and tourism in the countries concerned. The details of project activities in Thailand funded through the Appeal are as follows:

Thailand

Project Name: Trade Union Assistance for Burmese Migrant Workers in Thailand

Implementing Agency: Burmese Institute for Democracy and Development, Washington, USA

Delivery Organisation: Federation of Trade Unions in Burma, Thailand

Project Duration: One year

Goal

The Project aims at supporting long-term rehabilitation of Burmese migrant workers affected by the Tsunami waves in December 2005.

Project Objectives

• Assistance for rebuilding livelihoods
• Assistance for migrant workers and families to facilitate integration into Thai society.
• Enhancement of knowledge and understanding of Thai and international labour laws among Burmese migrant workers.

Project activities

• Provision of fishing nets and crab traps for the workers
• Provision of water tanks for storing clean drinking water
• Provision of a teacher to teach children of migrant workers Thai language.
• Organisation of 12 training courses on international labour law and Thai legislation

Budget: £20,130

Progress

TUC Aid funds have enabled the Federation of Trade Unions in Burma (FTUB) to purchase and distribute twenty 8000-litre water storage tanks to four worksites in Hey Island. The tanks provide clean drinking water for ninety workers who live on the Island. The employers

have agreed to pay for the installation of the tanks. In addition, 650 fishing nets and crab traps have been distributed to fishing villages in the district of Suksamran, in Ranong Province in Thailand.

The Project has also paid for the furniture and educational material and interior decoration of a school built by the Italian Foundation. The school was opened in May 2006. The TUC Aid Tsunami Relief Programme also pays for the teacher teaching Thai to the children of Burmese migrant workers, enabling them to get into the Thai education system.