Thailand cracks down on irregular migrant workers
Dozens of companies have been blacklisted for failing to comply with regulations in construction, agriculture, and fisheries. Some recruitment agencies have seen their licences temporarily revoked. The move comes as thousands of Myanmar nationals seeking refuge and opportunities across the border are turned back.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The Thai Ministry of Labour has started cracking down on irregular immigrants, as well as those who exploit them.
According to data released today, scores of Thai companies have been blacklisted for not complying with the law that protects workers from other countries, estimated to be around four million, mostly from Myanmar.
According to the ministry, 126 Thailand-based companies are affected by the measure along with about 20 Thai recruitment agencies.
Thai authorities have also temporarily revoked the licences of eight Myanmar-based recruitment agencies for up to a year, while permanently cancelling the licences of 43 other entities active in Thailand.
Under international pressure to guarantee the rights and well-being of immigrants, but also faced with labour shortages in crucial sectors such as construction, agriculture, fishing, etc., Thai authorities have made major changes to their policy towards immigrants.
On the one hand, the government has eased stay and work permits for workers on official lists, while taking a tough line against employers who exploit foreign workers; on the other hand, it has detained or turned back thousands of Myanmar nationals seeking opportunities across the border without the papers required for legal protection.
So far, the system for finding and selecting Myanmar citizens willing to work in Thailand has relied on 150 agencies authorised by the government, with a certain degree of tolerance for irregularities and abuses by agencies and employers.
With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing in a less arbitrary and simplified way with foreign migrants stranded in Thailand has come up again.
For this reason, on 5 July the government extended the work permits for migrants until 25 February 2025 and required employers to regularise workers within 90 days.
This deadline also applies to minors living with parents employed in Thailand, while adult children are allowed to seek employment if they wish.
As the new rules are implemented, immigrant workers who already have a contract for four years or more can apply for an extension.
Photo: Flickr/ILO Asia Pacific
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07/02/2022 16:05
