The committee on migrant labour management policy has given the green light for migrant workers to do “labour” work in the fields facing workforce shortages under the condition that they must have entered the country legally.
Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, the labour minister, said on Thursday (June 21) that the decision was made at a meeting of the committee on migrant labour management policy.
Under Section 7 of the law on jobs for migrant workers, migrant workers are banned from being employed to work as labourers for fear that they may affect the Thai people’s employment opportunity.
The Employment Department, as secretary to the committee on jobs for migrant workers, proposed that the ban should be lifted to allow migrant workers to do “labour” work in 11 fields which have run short of a workforce. In order to be able to be employed for the labour work, the migrant workers must also have entered the country legally.
The committee approved the Employment Department’s proposal.
The 11 fields of work are: 1. agriculture, husbandry, forestry or fishery, except work which requires special skills; 2. masonry, carpentry or other construction work; 3. making of mattresses or blankets; 4. knife-making; 5. shoe-making; hat-making; 7. dress-making; 8. sculpture or pottery; and the rest (9th, 10th and 11th) are jobs which Thailand is required to allow for migrant workers to work in compliance with international agreements.
The committee also named 28 jobs in which migrant workers are definitely prohibited.
Of the 28 jobs, 16 concern Thai identities and knowledge. They are: 1. wood carving; 2. cloth-weaving by hand; 3. making of mats with various materials; 4. making of mulberry paper by hand; 5. making of lacquerware by hand; 6. making of Thai musical instrument; 7. making of nielloware; 8. making of gold, silver and alloy crafts; 9. making of stonework; 10. making of Thai dolls; 11. making of bowls for monks; 12. making of silk products by hand; 13. making Buddha images; 14. making of paper or cloth umbrellas; 15. typesetting of Thai alphabets; and 16. making of silk rolls by hand.
The 12 other jobs reserved for Thais only are: 1.operators of vehicles and machines in the country, except flying of airplanes on international routes; 2. shop attendants; 3. auction sales; 4. polishing of diamonds or gemstones; 5. barbers and beauticians; 6. brokerage, except work as agents in international trade or investment; 7. making cigarettes by hand; 8. tour guides; 9. goods vending; 10. clerk or secretary work; 11. legal services; and, 12. Thai massage.
The committee’s resolution will be signed by the labour minister as a ministerial announcement to take effect in July.
