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        "rendered": "<p>BANGKOK, THAILAND \u2013 13 Myanmar migrant workers whom IJM assisted Thai authorities in a rescue operation in 2021, won the labour court case in December 2022, resulting in compensation to be paid by their former employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This court victory will provide important financial relief to these survivors, while a separate criminal case continues against their former employers on charges of human trafficking and forced labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 2021, IJM Thailand along with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers, the Myanmar Embassy and other Thai government agencies rescued 18 Myanmar migrant workers from a confectionary factory that was operating out of a large home complex in a central Bangkok residential neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Five workers wanted to return to the employers and were not identified by the Thai government as victims of human trafficking or forced labour. However, 13 migrant workers from Myanmar were identified as victims and affirmed their desire to escape and seek justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was a risky rescue operation, but the courage prevailed as I saw one of the first survivors climbed up the high fence to get out and seek help. It was the best decision ever made by someone whom most people would regard as victim of forced labour,&#8221; said Patcharin Thongkam, IJM Thailand\u2019s senior social worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"799\" data-id=\"19041\" src=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_11.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_11.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg 600w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_11.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_11.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"19039\" src=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_7.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_7.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg 600w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_7.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bakery-Factory-Case_210129_7.jpg2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_2021.01-Bangkok-Rescue-from-Confectionary-Factory_Approved-for-Full-Use-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">The officers attempted to call out to the workers who were locked on the upper floors of a building behind locked gates. Eventually, one worker began to climb out over the gate and a ladder was brought, to help him escape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Chit*, one of the thirteen survivors who courageously took the chance to escape, shared,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI knew that they (employers) were watching us but at that final moment, I dared myself to go so that others could follow. I heard the officers were calling us, so I went to the gate and started climbing up to get out. I just wanted others to follow me, and they did. I don\u2019t know what would happen to all of us if I didn\u2019t take the only chance I had.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>On 17 January 2022, the three employers suspected of forced labour, human trafficking, and labour law crimes were arrested by DSI. The labour inspector ordered them to pay the unpaid wages to 13 Myanmar workers. However, the three employers appealed to dismiss the inspector\u2019s order, leading to the court summoning both sides for negotiations on the day of the arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe never gave in. We worked closely with the law enforcement team to collect evidence and lay down strategies, and we ensured decisions and options we made were accurate. Everybody wanted to seek for justice, so we worked hard to achieve it,\u201d said IJM Thailand Lawyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IJM Thailand\u2019s Survivor Services team provides aftercare support to the survivors under the Thai government\u2019s shelter for trafficking victims. IJM\u2019s legal team together with government partners filed a lawsuit against the employers at the labour court to claim the survivors\u2019 rights and seek restitution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 6 December 2022, the court ordered the employers to pay compensation worth 144,935 Baht (nearly HK$34,500) to all 13 survivors. The survivors won the labour court case with confirmation that the defendants would not file an appeal.\u00a0Andrew Wasuwongse, IJM Thailand Country Director said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;IJM applauds the court&#8217;s favourable decision in helping bolster the rights of migrant workers in the country. We commend the relentless work and commitment of the government of Thailand and our partners to ensure that vulnerable workers are protected. We are proud of these courageous workers who are boldly telling the truth and defending their rights. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*pseudonym used<\/em><\/p>",
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