The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday passed draft amendments to a 2017 executive decree on the management of migrant workers in an attempt to streamline the employment process.
The amendments look to speed up the permit processing and granting system and promote cooperation and legal compliance among parties involved, according to a source in the NLA. They also reduce penalties against migrant workers caught breaking the law and those employing undocumented alien workers.
The original decree was widely criticised as too tough, causing panic among migrant workers and businesses when it took effect in June last year. The penalties were as stiff as those imposed for human trafficking offences.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha exercised his special power under Section 44 of the previous interim charter to allow a 180-day reprieve for people involved in the employment of unregistered migrants.
Under the amendments, employers would be fined between 10,000-100,000 baht for each illegal worker hired, down from 400,000-800,000 baht.