Activist steps in to aid migrant workers

Activist steps in to aid migrant workers

A labour activist has voiced concern over the anticipated massive return of Myanmar migrant workers to their country to get new ID cards as Myanmar authorities will conduct a new population census survey next year.

Many Myanmar migrants working in Thailand are expected to return to their home country during long holidays such as the New Year and Songkran festivals to apply for the new ID cards, Adisorn Kerdmongkol, of the Migrant Working Group, said.

The return of those migrant workers would affect manufacturing at factories which rely heavily on Myanmar workers. He urged the Labour and Foreign Affairs ministries to jointly discuss how to facilitate the travel of Myanmar workers to their country to help them save time and money, and reduce the impact of their return on factories.

The activist said Myanmar's move to conduct a new population census and issue new ID cards to its citizens would benefit the administration of migrant workers in Thailand. This would smoothen the legal process involved in checking the status of Myanmar migrants working in the country, Mr Adisorn said.

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