Thais working abroad prone to exploitation

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

Academics and experts on migration and the labour movement at an academic seminar yesterday, where they discussed the problems of overseas Thai labourers in order to find a way to secure them better rights protection. Nation / Pratch Rujivanarom

 

Academics seek policy that would prevent trafficking and oppression

 

ACADEMICS expressed concern over an increasing trend of Thais seeking illegal ways to work abroad, which made them vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking and exploitation by their employer.

 

They urged the government to implement concrete measures to protect and help Thai workers in other countries.

 

 

The Thailand Research Fund yesterday hosted a seminar on transboundary migration and protection of Thai people overseas. The seminar heard that many Thai people are seeking easier but illegal ways to work in other countries, mostly South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia, and in the process are putting themselves at risk. While the earnings of Thai migrant workers can make a substantial contribution to the local economy, the families of these workers often have large debts because of the costs incurred in getting the overseas opportunity.

 

Kritaya Archavanitkul, a professor at Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, said that migration and transboundary labour movement were a longstanding and understandable phenomenon of human society, as people travel to seek better opportunities. Kritaya said that working abroad can bring in higher income than in Thailand and it is the right of people to reside and work in another country. However, as working overseas is becoming increasingly popular among Thai people, human traffickers are taking advantage of those working abroad. “The problems of deception, tricking people to work as forced labour or in the sex industry are more prominent. Every year, an increasing number of people are becoming victims of such crimes, while there are still no concrete measures to protect or support Thai workers in other countries,” she said.

 

“We need more research into the labour movement and to have an official policy to oversee the export of Thai labour, especially when Thailand is part of the AEC [Asean Economic Community] which encourages free movement of labour.”

Samarn Laodumrongchai, a senior researcher at Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies, said that his studies into Thai labour communities in South Korea and Taiwan, found that many Thai people prefer to seek easier, but illegal, ways to work in those countries. That makes them easy targets for traffickers, and vulnerable to being taken advantage of by bad employers. Samarn said the incentive of earning higher income than working domestically has led many Thais to seek employment in South Korea.

 

Thailand has a state-to-state employment permit system with South Korea that provides a legal path for Thai labour to work there. And South Korea has a very tough approach to discourage illegal immigration. Still, many people still choose to unlawfully enter and work in the country via illegal agencies.

 

“The illegal workers in South Korea are facing many problems,” said Samarn. “For instance, they are not protected by the laws, most employers take their documents away and do not provide them proper welfare and salary. Many people are also becoming victims of human trafficking and are forced to work in the sex industry.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30334588

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-23

Novice Farangs in Thailand prone to exploitation

Hmmm! Thailand complaining about their people overseas being treated badly. I might have a bit more sympathy were it not for the way Cambodian and Burmese are regularly treated here.

not properly qualified English Language Teachers in Thailand, prone to exploitation

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

While the earnings of Thai migrant workers can make a substantial contribution to the local economy, .

If they would make it easier for foreigners living in Thailand we could make a really large substantial contribution to the local economy.

2 minutes ago, akampa said:

If they would make it easier for foreigners living in Thailand we could make a really large substantial contribution to the local economy.

it's a myth that it's difficult for foreigners to work here. If a company employs you, most will sort all your WP and visa issues for you. Hardly have to lift a finger. There's thousands of different types of professions and hundreds of industries foreigners are working in with no issues at all. 

11 minutes ago, akampa said:

we could make a really large substantial contribution to the local economy.

We do already whether we like it or not.  Thai police ensure we pay our way.

Migrant workers are poorly treated throughout the world, whether Thai, other Asians, African, Latin American or Eastern Europeans. 

 

And, as Darksidedog rightly says, the Thais are among the worst at exploiting their migrant workers.

34 minutes ago, akampa said:

If they would make it easier for foreigners living in Thailand we could make a really large substantial contribution to the local economy.

If the foreigner has money, it is very easy to live here. 

22 minutes ago, mikebell said:

We do already whether we like it or not.  Thai police ensure we pay our way.

Never paid the police for anything, not counting immigration fee's

34 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Never paid the police for anything, not counting immigration fee's

I envy you.  Sattahip cop arriving ten minutes later, decided I was at fault for allowing two Thai tearaways to crash into my stationary car at 90kph.  If I didn't pay he would confiscate my passport; would make getting my next visa difficult.  His verdict cost me about 80K + my wife pawned her gold to pay him under the table.

Foreigners living and working here also gets discrimination so is tit for tat.

Silly me.  I thought that they were commiserating on behalf of people from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

I envy you.  Sattahip cop arriving ten minutes later, decided I was at fault for allowing two Thai tearaways to crash into my stationary car at 90kph.  If I didn't pay he would confiscate my passport; would make getting my next visa difficult.  His verdict cost me about 80K + my wife pawned her gold to pay him under the table.

You had an insurance policy?

At 300 baht a day, they’re exploited at home as well. 

Don't tell me they're victims of dual pricing!

 Thai woman forced into prostitution? You've got to be sh!tting me. I've never been to another country with more willing prostitutes. 

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Hmmm! Thailand complaining about their people overseas being treated badly. I might have a bit more sympathy were it not for the way Cambodian and Burmese are regularly treated here.

You mean anyone who is not Thai..

Don't blame others. Exploitation is caused by the medieval educational system that only able to produce a nation of such intelligence.

Dave 67, the problem with novice farangs they let their B***s rule their brains.

Mike Bell, never had a problem with the police, get stopped every Christmas, New year if I drive I drink Coke, if I drink beer my wife drives or I get a taxi.  Always found police polite and been treated with respect.

Akampa, If Thai and UK. government had the same agreement as the Uk government and the Philippines, we Brits would have a lot more money to spend here in Thailand.

9 hours ago, Dave67 said:

Novice Farangs in Thailand prone to exploitation

Only the novice farangs?

11 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Only the novice farangs?

In general yes.

The idea still persists that the expat always pays when involved in an accident and in many cases believe their wives/girlfriends that it's better to pay.

Keep mouth shut. Sign nothing.

Call the insurance company and let them do the talking.

Don't talk to the cop who arrives apart from 'insurance coming wait.'

"ACADEMICS expressed concern over an increasing trend of Thais seeking illegal ways to work abroad, which made them vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking and exploitation by their employer.

They urged the government to implement concrete measures to protect and help Thai workers in other countries."

 

The above problems faced by Thais working overseas ILLEGALLY are exactly the same as the LEGAL workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia face here.

 

How about Thailand cleans up its treatment of LEGAL workers here before they start throwing stones.

Welcome to the club and feel at home away from home as a 'farrang'!

KInd of like farangs exploited in Thailand...get used to it

And how many being 'exploited' are working legally within the country?

What's good for the goose is good for the gander

If they don't like they can go back home ...

It's always someone else. Thais can do no wrong.

Thais need to wake up as when they go abroad to work, they have to work and not sit and play with the smartphone all day

 

But at home the worst treatment of any white people in the world goes on in? yes you guessed it Thailand.

 

No sympathy from me.