Introduction

The BLSO is a worker and human rights advocacy group operating on the Thai/Burma border in Mae Sot, Thailand. Established in 2000, for the past 10 years the BLSO has been working tirelessly to improve the situation of Burmese migrant workers and their families living on both sides of the Burmese border.

A grassroots organisation which firmly believes in democracy, human rights and the power of education, the BLSO regularly provides the local Burmese community with educational workshops, publications and programs. The BLSO also serves as legal aid organisation, working in partnership with the local Thai authorities to remedy disputes arising between factory owners and their Burmese employees.

In addition, the BLSO operates a primary school for the children of migrant workers in a quest to fulfil the rights of a child to education and to offer a brighter future for Burma’s youth. The BLSO prides itself on the international standard of education it provides to its students free of charge. Alongside the regular standardised school cirriculum of subjects including Mathematics, Science and History, the BLSO School offers classes in Burmese, Thai and English language skills.

For more information on the BLSO School, click here.

Objectives

1. To support Burmese migrant workers working in Mae Sot’s factories by providing reliable access to health care, social services, and assistance for religious practices.
2. To strive for unity among the Burmese workers in Mae Sot, Thailand.
3. To provide a forum in which Burmese migrant workers may read, study and share their knowledge, to encourage intellectual debate.
4. To encourage mutual understanding and cooperation between workers living both inside and outside of Burma to help solve their common difficulties.
5. To support the struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma.

Long-term

1. To spread awareness about, and report on, the military regime’s oppression and exploitation of Burmese workers.
2. To encourage the support of the international community and organizations in order to pressure the Burmese military regime to guarantee labor rights and the safety of workers.
3. To promote / encourage a greater understanding of politics, social issues, democracy and human rights in the Burmese community.
4. To accelerate the Burmese democratic movement by using the strength of worker participation.

Previous Activities & Current Situation

For more information on our previous activities, please visit the ‘Reports’ section of our website where we invite you to download our previous Activities Reports. Published annually these reports details the specific undertakings of the BLSO for the previous year. If you have any specific requests or questions regarding the information provided please do not hesitate to send us a note via the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website. We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

Future Plans & Goals

In addition to BLSO’s present activities, it is our hope that more Burmese migrant workers will become involved in the activities of the BLSO in Mae Sot to accomplish the following:

• To temporarily support workers who are unable to find suitable jobs or are dismissed from their factory jobs.
• To assist sick and injured workers by providing them access to health care and required medicine (access to both the Mae Tao Clinic and Mae sot Hospital).
• To organize daily classes on topics such as English, Human Rights, International Relations and Basic Computer Skills.
• Establish a library for use by the migrant workers.
• To continue the implementation of community awareness programs about work-related accidents, malaria, HIV / AIDS, and birth control.
• To facilitate the workers’ access to decent social and religious services.
• To publish a bi-monthly newsletter on current activities and relevant information.
• To systematically mediate problems between workers and owners / supervisors.
• To report the actual situation of the working conditions in the Mae Sot factories to International Labor Organizations, Human Rights Groups, and other interested parties.