Migrant workers are warnd to register for work permits and go through a national verification process by June 30 or face tough legal action and deportation, Labour Minister Adul Saengsingkaew said on Friday (June 29).
Pol Gen Adul said that, under a cabinet resolution, starting Jan 16 this year a total of 1,320,035 migrant workers were required to register for work permits. As of March 31, 840,736 migran workers reported to one-stop-service centres throughout the country.
The cabinet later extended the deadline to June 30. As of June 28, 333,724 underwent the registration — 148,420 from Cambodia, 17,273 from Laos, and 168,031 from Myanmar. Remaining to undergo the registration process are 9,996 Cambodian, 1,728 Lao and 2,604 Myanmar nationals.
As for the nationality verification, a total of 117,708 have gone through this process. Those who have not undergone this process are 4,310 from Cambodia and 273 from Laos.
Pol Gen Adul thanked Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos for cooperating in the nationality verification. After June 30 migrant workers who have not undergone the registration and nationality verification processes will not be allowed to stay on in the country to work, he added.
From July 1, the Employment Department will begin to take strict legal action against illegal migrant workers, he said.
Employment Department director-general Anurak Thotsarak said a migrant worker found working without a permit will be subject to a fine of 5,000-50,000 baht in addition to being deported after which they will not be allowed to seek work permit in Thailand for two years.
At the same time, employers who are found hiring illegal immigrant workers will be subject to a fine of 10,000-100,000 baht per worker. Those found repeating the offence will be liable to up to one year in jail or a fine of 50,000-200,000 baht or both. They will also be prohibited from hiring migrant workers for three years.