Over 20,000 Thai workers choose to stay in Israel amidst escalating conflict

[webfact]

 

Despite escalating conflict in Israel, over 20,000 Thai workers have opted to remain, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry continues to commit itself to facilitating the return of those wishing to leave. Before the occurrence of the cross-border raids by Hamas forces on October 7, approximately 30,000 Thai citizens were working in Israel.

 

However, the number of Thai workers seeking to return home has significantly dwindled in recent days, which led to the closure of the coordination centre at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. The last few workers who registered for repatriation landed in Thailand the previous day.

 

The majority of the 14 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who were based at the centre, have now returned home. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and the permanent secretary of foreign affairs Sarun Charoensuwan gave them a warm welcome.

Parnpree praised the officials for their commitment to the mission during the crisis. He stated, “I wanted to meet the people who made sacrifices to bring us updates on the situation.”

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-07

 

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[lordgrinz]

They are probably safer in Israel right now, than most places on the planet.

[bamnutsak]

Difficult situation for the government.

 

They encouraged/facilitated Thais to go to Israel by forming a government-to-government agreement to supply agricultural workers.

 

"Go to Israel."

 

"Come back now."

 

 

https://telaviv.thaiembassy.org/en/content/119671-the-signing-of-the-agreement-between-the-government-of-the-kingdom-of-thailand-and-the-government-of-the-state-of-israel-regarding-the-recruitment-for-employment-of-thai-workers-for-temporary-work-in-the-agricultural-sector-in-the-state-of-israel?cate=5d7513dd15e39c3598006af6

 

 

During the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Thai workers were encouraged to participate in the “Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers (TIC)” project to work in the agricultural sector. This cooperation has been running for 17 rounds.

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2023/10/09/thais-have-been-supported-to-work-in-israel-before-the-attack/

 

 

Once in Israel, Thai workers are moved around the country by their employers, with little regard for their safety.

 

and

 

Israeli employers are allowed by law to transfer their workers to other employers, the Thai Ministry of Labor permanent secretary said 

 

 

 

Sorry, but this sounds suspiciously like other forced labor situations.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40031807

 

 

[freeworld]

Wonder why this link leads to a dead end?

 

https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/israel/

[spidermike007]

I guess it says a lot about Thailand that these Thais  would be willing to risk life and limb, to stay in a country where they're making three to four times what they could earn in Thailand, for working a 60 or 70 hours a week. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

They are probably safer in Israel right now, than most places on the planet.

Correct, Israel is on the ball now and those veggies need picking.

Plus they may not have the funds to fly home, to certain unemployment.

Stay put with a monthly salary seems logical

[JayLeno]

I find it ironic when officials say "our job is to bring them home" when the government should be focusing on providing opportunities for Thai citizens in Thailand

[keithkarmann]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I guess it says a lot about Thailand that these Thais  would be willing to risk life and limb, to stay in a country where they're making three to four times what they could earn in Thailand, for working a 60 or 70 hours a week. 

Pressured by the money lenders who loaned the money for their flights?