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Burma Labour Solidarity Organization (BLSO)
Union Aid Abroad APHEDA and the Burma Labour Solidarity Organisation have work together to educate Burmese Refugee workers and their children. Burmese refugees working as migrant labourers have little access to services for their children. These children often have special needs because their parents transient lifestyle has ment they have missed several years of school. BLSO aims to create a school environment that caters to their needs.
A teacher and her students at the BLSO school
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In 2000, the Youth Workers Organisation (Y.W.O) became the Burma Labour Solidarity Organisation (BLSO). Both these organisations were born out of the need for a labour organisation to protect workers rights. The organisations objectives are: assisting in solving the daily problems of migrant workers in Mae Sot; strengthening social relationships among workers; educating workers on their rights, providing basic education and democracy awareness; and, promoting participation in the democracy movement through migrant unity and empowerment.
With the continuing oppression and exploitation of workers by the military regime within Burma, it was recognised that there was a need to expand the organisation to protect the rights of workers within Burma, as well as migrant workers in Thailand.
The Burma Labour Solidarity Organisation is a partner organisation of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA. Its work includes training and education sessions to inform workers, as well as the establishment of a school for the children of migrant workers in Mae Sot. The organisation recently participated in the Thai Labour Campaign which aimed to facilitate increased communication between Thai and Burmese workers, trade unions and migrant groups. In addition its information sessions provide valuable education to migrants on a range of issues, including workers rights, human rights and social justice.
The BLSO School was set up to support the children of migrant workers who have no access to education. It provides an education to children who are vulnerable and need protection from drug smugglers, prostitution and traffickers. The school also aims to care for the children beyond providing an education, and carries out health checks and has developed a school nutrition program. The nutrition program started when it was identified that children were coming to school and often did not have breakfast or lunch, the program endeavours to feed the children everyday funds permitting.
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