The Labour Ministry is helping two Thai women who could be expelled from Malaysia for overstaying their tourist visa and illegally working there.
Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said the ministry offered assistance to bring back the women, Sureemart Nuchakad and Kallaya Klanprakon, after hearing reports about their plight. News reports quoted Chat Nuchanad, Ms Sureemart's father and Ms Kallaya's grandfather, saying the two went to work as Thai traditional masseuses in Malaysia before being arrested by local authorities and being detained for more than a month.
Mr Suchart said the Thai government is concerned about the women, adding he has instructed the labour attache in Kuala Lumpur to get in touch with the women while the labour office in Buri Ram, where the women are from, fetches additional information about their case.
He said the ministry learned from Mr Chat that the women and two other Thai workers were apprehended by Malaysian authorities on Sept 8 for illegally working and overstaying their tourist visas. On Tuesday, Ms Sureemart and two others were released on bail posted by the employers, while Ms Kallaya was still in police custody pending a trial. The women had sought assistance for repatriation, according to the minister.
Labour permanent secretary Boonchob Sutthamanaswong said he was told that Ms Kallaya's employer will seek her bail release in the next few days. He said people who aim to secure employment overseas should do so via legal channels for full legal protection. Both women decided to go to Malaysia to work to help supplement the family income.