Government Takes Bold Steps Against Illegal Migrant Workers

[webfact]

 

In a decisive move, the government has ramped up its efforts to curb illegal immigration, targeting migrant workers and their employers across the nation. Over the past two months, authorities have detained 1,179 individuals who were found working without proper documentation.

 

This represents a small fraction, less than 1%, of the 162,130 workers whose credentials were scrutinised at 12,983 workplaces from early June to August.

 

The crackdown has not only highlighted the scale of illegal work but also the need for stringent enforcement of immigration laws. Out of the workplaces inspected, 438, or approximately 3.3%, were found to have violations. This underscores the pervasive nature of the issue.

 

Migrant workers caught without proper permits face substantial penalties. They can be fined between 500 baht and 5,000 baht, deported, and banned from reapplying for work permits for up to two years.

 

On the other side, employers who hire illegal migrants or assign legal workers to unauthorised jobs could be slapped with fines ranging from 1,000 baht to 10,000 baht per worker. Repeat offenders might even face up to a year's imprisonment, fines of 5,000 baht to 20,000 baht per employee, and a three-year ban on employing new migrant workers.

 

The detained workers hail from a variety of countries. The majority, 724, are from Myanmar, followed by 190 from Cambodia, 162 from Laos, 22 from Vietnam, and 81 from other nations.

 

The crackdown involves coordination among various government agencies, reflecting the administration's commitment to bringing order to the labour market.

 

This initiative is part of broader efforts aimed at ensuring that all workers in Thailand are employed legally and treated fairly. The government hopes that stringent action will deter future violations and maintain a balanced and lawful job market.

 

The move also aims to protect the rights of all workers and ensure that employers adhere strictly to legal hiring practices.

 

Picture courtesy: NNT

 

-- 2024-08-05

 

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[watchcat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The detained workers hail from a variety of countries. The majority, 724, are from Myanmar, followed by 190 from Cambodia, 162 from Laos, 22 from Vietnam, and 81 from other nations.

 

Prepare yourself for less workforce, meaning no more buildings?

[ikke1959]

Maybe it should be easier to get a workpermit.... Now it is an endless paperwork for employer and employee..... So that is why many stop with the procedure and work illegal.... Why not introduce a workvisa?? just apply for it and you can work in almost every job...Much easier, but in Thailand all jobs are protected even prostitution although it doesn't exists....Foreigners are being limited or jailed almost in  every job for not having a workpermit. Even volunteer work is impossible...Volunteer is without payment...and if people complain you can't even mown you own lawn........ Easy for people to blame but look at the reasons.  I know for foreign teachers it can take up to 3 months before getting a workpermit and that is far too long

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In a decisive move, the government has ramped up its efforts to curb illegal immigration, targeting migrant workers and their employers across the nation. Over the past two months, authorities have detained 1,179 individuals who were found working without proper documentation.

How many of those employers have been arrested and taken to court?