Millions Of Migrant Workers Register

Two million foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar could be about to be legally permitted to work in Thailand according to Labour Minister Sirichai Dithakul.

The government set up 101 temporary centres where foreign workers could go and register, the majority of those who did, signed on at Chon Buri, Kamphaeng Phet and Saraburi.

Employers have been invited to register illegal workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and have until August 7th to do so.

The move follows the introduction of the new Royal Decree on Managing the Work of Aliens 2017, which has had a huge impact on foreigners, who work in Thailand. With fines of up to 800,000 baht, employers panicked and paid off illegal migrant workers.

Within days, scores of people from neighbouring nations fled home, which in turn brought mass labour shortages for many businesses.

Realising the damage the new law was having on the Kingdom, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made use of Article 44, to suspend four of the key articles regarding fines and punishments until January 2018.

The next step was for the Labour Ministry to commence registration of foreign workers.

What happens in 2018 remains to be seen but let's hope that common sense prevails, for Thailand needs foreign workers as much as they need Thailand.

Source: The Nation