Registration of migrants postponed

FOREIGN LABOUR

The Labour Ministry is delaying the registration of 700,000 foreign workers in a bid to keep jobs open for Thai workers during the economic slowdown.

Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong said the registration would be put off until the end of March and job fairs would be held for unemployed Thais.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the Labour Management Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, to ease unemployment during the looming economic crisis which is expected to cause over a million people to lose their jobs.

Mr Paitoon said authorities have been urged to survey the job market for foreign workers and compile a list of jobs Thais might be reluctant to apply for.

He said a crackdown on illegal foreign workers would start after the registration.

Foreign workers whose work permits are due to expire this month are required to register with labour officials from Feb 10 to Feb 28.

Those whose work permits are due to expire on March 14 are required to renew from March 13 to March 24. This group is limited to the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

A member of the Alien Labour Management committee said Maj-Gen Sanan had instructed the Labour Ministry to look into the types of jobs held by foreign workers.

Maj-Gen Sanan expected to reserve certain jobs for Thai workers, the panel member added.

Maj-Gen Sanan also stressed that employers are required to pay legal minimum wages to Thai workers or face legal action.