Senior labour official denies DSI’s allegation of human trafficking

[webfact]

Labour Permanent Secretary, Pairoj Chotikasathien

Labour Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien has categorically denied the Department of Special Investigation’s allegation that he was involved in the trafficking of thousands of Thai workers to Finland, to work as wild berry and strawberry pickers, and promised to cooperate with the DSI in its investigation.

 

The DSI has implicated two former Labour ministers and two senior officials in demanding 3,000 baht kickbacks from each of some 12,000 Thai workers going to work in Finland between 2020 and 2023. All four suspects have been charged with human trafficking and malfeasance in office.

 

Pairoj said that he has instructed the Department of Employment to gather all relevant information about Thai workers who went to work in Finland during that period, whether on their own or through employment agencies, the names of their employers or job agencies, how much each of them spent and whether they had paid the 3,000 baht kickback and to whom.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-12

 

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[bamnutsak]

And let's not talk about the 30,000 Thai workers trafficked who were "encouraged" by the government to go to Israel. Very shady dealings there as well.

 

 

These workers are among some 30,000 Thai nationals living in Israel and working mainly in agriculture. Among them, about 5,000 are in the immediate vicinity of the troubled Gaza Strip.

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/politics/2023/10/09/thais-have-been-supported-to-work-in-israel-before-the-attack/

 

 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

This is what they are really like folks.

 

Money Number One.

[webfact]

2 former ministers accused of demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland
 

 

Former Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin is seeking justice after accusing the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of damaging his reputation by calling out two former labour ministers for demanding bribes from Thai workers in Finland.

 

ThaiRath reported that Thailand considers workers to be victims of human trafficking if employers detain, abuse or illegally exploit them. However, the law in Finland is different and more detailed. For example, workers who are kept in unsuitable accommodation or do not have enough food and facilities are considered victims of trafficking.

 

Recently, the authorities in Finland rescued several Thai workers considered to be the victims of human trafficking. They were considered victims of trafficking because they revealed to the authorities that they had to pay bribes to return to Thailand when their work in Finland ended.

 

After the rescue, the Finnish authorities reported the case to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry then referred the case to the DSI for further investigation into human trafficking and the extra fee.

 

After further investigation into the case, the DSI found that each Thai worker travelled to Finland and worked there legally under Thai law but later became victims of human trafficking when they returned to Thailand.

 

By Petch Petpailin

Caption: Photo via bangkokbiznews

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-12

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

The DSI has implicated two former Labour ministers and two senior officials in demanding 3,000 baht kickbacks from each of some 12,000 Thai workers going to work in Finland between 2020 and 2023. All four suspects have been charged with human trafficking and malfeasance in office.

Ohh dear, I guess their salaries were not enough to get by on.

[cncltd1973]

that's how business is done in Thailand

[klauskunkel]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Pairoj said that he has instructed the Department of Employment to gather all relevant information about Thai workers who went to work in Finland during that period, whether on their own or through employment agencies, the names of their employers or job agencies, how much each of them spent and whether they had paid the 3,000 baht kickback and to whom.

 

Pairoj himself is implicated as a trafficker, and here he is publicly stating he is "investigating" himself. Surreal, but quintessential Thai authority. After all, if Thai Police can investigate themselves, why not the Labor Dept, or any other authority?

Edited January 13 by klauskunkel

[mikebell]

10 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Pairoj himself is implicated as a trafficker, and here he is publicly stating he is "investigating" himself. Surreal, but quintessential Thai authority. After all, if Thai Police can investigate themselves, why not the Labor Dept, or any other authority?

Agreed. Hence the oxymoron 'Thai justice'.