The Nation on 3 February 2018,
STARTING from Monday, the government will open counter services for migrant workers to register their visa applications in every province.
Labour Minister Police General Adul Sangsingkeo revealed the plan yesterday.
“It’s going to be a one-stop-service for workers whose nationality is yet to be verified and to seek work permits,” said Atisthan Phanfak, who works at the Ubon Ratchathani-based employment agency.
She said this counter service will open from 8.30am to 4.30pm from February to March 31, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.
At present, about 3.8 million Myanmar, Cambodian and Laotian workers earn a living in Thailand. Of the total, about 1.8 million work here legally.
Thai authorities are now trying to legalise all migrant workers, by encouraging them and their employers to undergo proper registration.
“But at this point, some 800,000 have not yet completed their nationality verification process,” Adul said.
Of the 800,000 workers, 400,000 are Cambodians, 100,000 are Laotians, and more than 300,000 are Myanmar nationals.
He said relevant parties were now trying to expedite the process, reducing the time required from 10 hours to six hours.
“We will improve coordination channels among relevant authorities so as to ensure migrant workers can have their nationality verified before the June 30 deadline,” he said.
Adul was speaking after attending a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and relevant officials.
Prawit recommended increasing the number of officials and devices for the process to legalise migrant workers.
Labour Ministry permanent secretary, Jarin Chakkaphark, said the process was important because it was a way to prevent human trafficking, child labour and forced labour.
During his meeting with Heng Samrin, the president of Cambodia’s National Legislative Assembly yesterday, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha also asked Heng Samrin for help in expediting the process of verifying Cambodian workers’ nationality, according to Deputy Government Spokesman Lt-General Werachon Sukondhapatipak.
Werachon said Heng Samrin during the meeting thanked the Thai government for taking care of Cambodian workers.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30337834
