Outgoing Labour Minister accepts migrant worker import proposal

Outgoing Labour Minister accepts migrant worker import proposal

Suchart Pornchaiwiseskul, Director General, Department of Employment, joined the “Covid-19 Outbreak Impact Conference”, led by M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul, then Labour Minister, along with representatives of foreign labour import associations and nine foreign worker import agencies.

“As a consequence of preventive measures countering the spread of Covid-19, employers and businesses encountered labour shortages and difficulty in recruiting labour into the country as MoUs were no longer valid,” revealed, Suchart Pornchaiwiseskul 

To streamline the procedure and ensure effective recruitment of migrant workers as well as providing solutions for illegal workers not abiding by the cabinet decision issued by the minister on 20 August 2019, the MOL held a conference to which it invited involved foreign worker import networks to explain current worker import barriers and propose processes to counter the impacts of Covid-19. 

The conference was participated by nine organisations comprising four representatives from worker import associations, including the President of Migrant Import Trader Development Association, President of Labour Import Association, President of Labour Development Trade Association, President of Migrant Workers Import and Service Trade Association, along with five private agencies, including Foreign Worker Employment Agency TW Labour Solutions Co., Ltd., The First Good Man Group Company Limited, TMG Agency Co., Ltd., Jobs Worker Service Co., Ltd. , and Advance Worker Co., Ltd. 

The proposed agenda suggested the Ministry of Labour launch measures for managing foreign workers remaining in Thailand, including out of contract labour recruited through the MoU system, labour not proceeding in compliance with cabinet decision of 20 August 2019, and labour recruited through MoUs terminated by law under S.50, S.53, and S.55 of Foreigners Working Management Emergency Decree, B.E. 2560 and additional amendments. The Labour Minster has accepted the proposed agendas and assigned the Department of Employment to propose solutions and guidelines for implementation. 

Suchart Pornchaiwiseskul, Director General added that, “The recent impact of coronavirus has spurred the Department of Employment to launch policies and measures to resolve immediate issues, including easing foreign worker recruitment guidelines in 2019-2020.” Relaxation of the regulations allows migrant workers residing in the Kingdom to temporarily continue working until 30 November 2020. In addition, workers with Cambodian, Laotian, and Myanmar descendants recruited to work through the MoU system and those holding border passes and expired work permits are allowed to reside in Thailand and continue working until 31 July 2020. 

The conference continued with the Center for COVID-19 situation Administration (CCSA) discussing progress in non-Thai national workforce recruitment policy relaxation. The foreign workers are required to register in person at the Thai embassy in their country of origin to attain a travelling certificate prior to entering Thailand. Other documents required include medical certificate, health insurance, and health screening in compliance with measures issued by the Ministry of Public Health. The suggestions proposed are among the major foreign workforce management measures the Department of Employment is required to establish from 31 July 2020 onward.

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