Deporting migrants is short-sighted

COMMENTARY

Published: 19 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

No, no, no! That was the firm answer from Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap when the business sector and rights groups repeatedly asked him to extend the nationality verification deadline to allow migrant workers more time to obtain the passports, visas, and work permits required to work here legally.

Playing tough, Mr Padermchai also threatened to immediately deport any migrant workers who failed to meet the Dec 14 deadline.

As many as 2 million people may be subjected to this mass deportation. Don't believe the 300,000 number quoted by the government. That's far too low.

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patchar
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Discussion 8 : 01 Jan 2013 at 14.418
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This problem can be better handle off by the two countries involved. Don't deny the fact that Thailand needs these workers for their economy to continuou moving, same as these workers needs job for their families. Harsh words will not do you any better. believes me
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cre8ting
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Discussion 7 : 19 Dec 2012 at 21.107
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The statement made by the writer that racist nationalism is a new phenomenon is disputable. Thailand has a tradition of presumed superiority in the region. Ask a question about Lao, Burmese and Khmer and the majority of the Thais start snickering. This attitude is also present within the country, if one looks at how people from the northeast and the deep south are treated and spoken about.
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cre8ting
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Discussion 6 : 19 Dec 2012 at 20.536
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Thailand needs workers from the surrounding countries more than ever before. Especially with the predicted shortage for unskilled labor they'd better start treating them like equal human beings and give them a fair treatment. Let's not forget what happened at the fishing net factory in Khon Kaen in 2010.

Immigrant workers work twice as hard for half the pay, don't complain and get the job done under severe conditions. I don't see those spoon fed M3 dropouts getting off the sofa and get themselves to earn some money of their own.
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SawGeorge
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Discussion 5 : 19 Dec 2012 at 16.215
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The only thing the labour ministry is doing in pushing the deadline for migrant workers deportation
is surely meant to increase the income to some officials who has to oversee all workerss be it legal or illegal migrants will end on extortion from both sides of the country. In the end only the grassroots will be suffering...there's no doubt about it. Does the ministry dares to declare war on corruption, extortion and safety, if the migrants have to face off...never but, will end up again like previous times and then start again thinking ways how to exploit these poor souls.It's such a shame, how the government is running the country.
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dok
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Discussion 4 : 19 Dec 2012 at 09.594
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The undeniable fact is Thailand can't stay away from migrant labors. But things still needed certain changes. Migrant labors themselves do not expect much in the system but safety, basic labor rights and a bit of social fairness. Seeking a temporary passport under National verification process is too pricey for the grassroots. Both side may look forward to ease of the poor migrants and some cost officially charged should also be down to a minimum range. There may be several considerable options. How about the verifiable smart cards instead of a temporary passport? How about the lower fee amendment for a WP? The simpler the better.
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oldairman
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Discussion 3 : 19 Dec 2012 at 06.593
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D2
Thais won't replace migrant as most os the jobs that the migrant actually do are too dirty and too much like hard work for Thais. What Thai would want to spend 10 hours a day on a building site for 300 baht.
They could join a red shirt protest and get 500 baht just to turn up and do nothing but shout and scream.
What will probably happen when the immigrants get deported is that 90% of the building projects will stopand Thailand will take 2 more steps backwards. What will Thailand do if the UN tells them that what they are doing is wrong?
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bennu
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Discussion 2 : 19 Dec 2012 at 05.012
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Natives will replace migrants in their work condition on the bottom.
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commonman
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Discussion 1 : 19 Dec 2012 at 04.021
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In answer to the question "Does Mr. Padermchai know what he's doing?" I would say apparently not. I'm quite doubtful that any of the ministers know what they're doing. Unless you consider that stepping up to the cookie jar with your hand out is the only requirement for such a job.
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Deporting migrants is short-sighted | Bangkok Post: opinion