23 Myanmar Nationals Stranded 8 Mo (r)

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: 23 Myanmar Nationals Stranded  8 Months in Tawau( Sabah)

This is a sadly typical case of Burmese sailors --  Burmese are vulnerable
to exploitation inside the country and out.

Subject: Re: 23 Myanmar Nationals Stranded  8 Months in Tawau( Sabah)

abim@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> From: abim <abim@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: 23 Myanmar Nationals Stranded  8 Months in Tawau( Sabah)
> 
> UTUSAN MELAYU           5  May 1997
> 
> 23 Myanmar Nationals Stranded  8 Months in Tawau( Sabah)
> 
> Tawau 4th May, - 23 Myanmar nationals who worked as shipcrew of "
> CASSIOPIA" registered in Thailand were to take shelter in that country
> and couldn't return to their mother country since last eight months
> because of the problem of the ship engine.
> According to the captain, U Kyaw Zaw, situation became worse when their
> employer in Thailand does not want to take the responsibilities and
> giving reason  that the company already bankrupt.  The captain told to
> reporters (when interviewed on the ship) that, the situation became more
> serious  when they contacted Myanmar Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to  seek
> help. The Embassy officials turned down their request to help reasoning
> that they were "too busy".
> 
> Foreign Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that he will bring
> this issue to the Myanmar Embassy for them to solve it as soon as
> possible . " We don't  know why Myanmar Embassy responded like that, but
> I think the Embassy should take care the welfare of their people
> here."... he told reporters after attending a special gathering with
> peoples in the house of Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Abdul Gafur
> Hj Salleh.-Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency)
> 
> Translated by Dr. Kamal/ Shahrul


Dear Dr. Kamal
My name is Maung maung and I am the General Secretary of the Federation
of Trade Unions - Burma. I saw your message just now. Thank you very
much for the action. 

I will forward this news to the Seaferers union of Burma SUb which is an
affilitae of the FTUB and also of the ITF.
We would like to get in touch with these people and see what we can
help.

We can look up the Thai company through the ITF and and also see if we
can get the ITF or one of it's inspectors either from Malaysia or
Singapore to look see what they can do for them.

At the same time, as by law we are not legally registered in Burma and
are supposed to be the bad guys, we think the crew might be worried
about meeting with the ITF or us.

Again, Brother Zainal of the MTUC and Brother Emanuel A.S.Angelus [
John] the General Secretary of the 'National Union of Hotel, Bar &
Restaurent Workers, Penninsular malaysia are good friends.  Could you
possibly get in touch with them and inform them of the situation so that
the crew would get some help and protection.

We are unable to come to KL as we cannot get visas in Bkk.
Thank you very much for your help.

Fraternally

Maung Maung
General Secretary
Federation of Trade Unions - Burma.

Could you send us



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