The Minister of Labour visited migrant workers’ center and PIPO in Ranong province to discuss ways to ensure the protection of fishing workers and improve their living conditions, as well as strengthen efforts against forced labor and human trafficking in the fishery sector.
On 22 January 2024, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, chaired a meeting with Ministry’s executives and representatives from local labor agencies in Ranong Province. He visited and received briefings on the work of the Ranong Post-Arrival and Reintegration Center and the Port-In-Port-Out Control Center (PIPO).
Minister Phiphat thanked the agencies in Ranong province for their cooperation and dedication in ensuring workers’ protection and living conditions, as well as in preventing forced labour that could lead to human trafficking. He also visited Sansodsai Marina to meet with fishing workers and inspected the work of officers at the port to ensure efficient enforcement of labor laws.
Ranong province is located on the western border, with 31,913 registered legal immigrant workers employed in the area. The province’s Post-Arrival and Reintegration Center provides essential information for newly arrived migrant workers, particularly regarding employment contracts and three key aspects of proper fisheries: proper vessel, proper employment, and proper equipment. This initiative aims to prevent and combat labor trafficking and forced labor.
Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of Department of Employment, also mentioned that Thailand has established five Post-Arrival and Reintegration Centers for migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. With the aim to reduce the risk of human trafficking, the center in Ranong collaborates closely with Ministry of Public Health for health checks and insurance, the Immigration Bureau for visa, the Department of Provincial Administration for registration, and the Department of Employment for work permits.
Ms. Sopa Kieatnircha, Director General of Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, reiterated that MOL is prepared to ensure the well-being of fishing workers in Thailand in all aspects, including proper payday and break times, aiming to enhance workers’ living conditions to meet the international standards.
Source : bit.ly/3UCuv22
