RLUG developed innovative approaches to support Burmese migrant workers facing recruitment agency restrictions and workplace barriers.
Key achievements
The project delivered:
- Thai language education:
- 57 students completed teacher’s targets
- 10 educational videos covering alphabet, spelling, grammar, and pronunciation
- Practical workplace communication skills
- Built support networks:
- 57-member Facebook Messenger group for updates and support
- Four Burmese workers integrated into monthly RLUG committee meetings
- Regular social activities including beach trips, planetarium visits, and shared activities
- Exposed recruitment exploitation:
- Documented $1,000 NZD recruitment fees
- Secured full fee refunds through social audit pressure
- Identified breaches of worker agreements
Challenges faced
- Recruitment agency restrictions:
- Fear of deportation
- Memorandum of Understanding constraints
- Complex visa requirements
- Workplace barriers:
- Required weekend work limiting participation
- Language barriers in health and safety
- Limited access to union information
- Five LGBTQI+ Burmese workers faced additional challenges
- Social audit revealed systematic recruitment fee exploitation
Project impact
While formal union membership remained challenging, the project:
- Improved workplace safety through better communication
- Built sustainable support networks
- Exposed and addressed recruitment exploitation
- Created pathways for future organising
- Developed models for cross-cultural solidarity
