Report Thailand Expands Foreign Worker Recruitment to Tackle Shortage

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In response to ongoing labour shortages, particularly along the Thai-Cambodian border, Thailand is widening its recruitment of foreign workers. Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit announced yesterday that the Ministry of Labour would expand its foreign workforce to include eight nationalities, an effort to address disruptions caused by regional unrest.

 

Previously restricted to workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, the policy will now also cover individuals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This strategic shift aims to streamline the recruitment process, especially during emergencies, by bypassing the cumbersome Memorandum of Understanding that generally takes two to three months.

 

Pongkawin explained that the move is intended to ensure business continuity by providing a more flexible labour supply. Recent disruptions saw over 100,000 Cambodian workers return home, leaving only about 30,000 with legal work permits in place. This has intensified shortages across various sectors.

 

The Ministry is actively collecting labour requests from employers nationwide, intending to deploy around 42,000 new workers from the newly included nations. The focus is on equitable workforce distribution to stabilise affected sectors.

 

Pongkawin is optimistic, stating that with effective workforce management, the situation could stabilise within two months. Emphasising fairness, the Ministry is committed to upholding strict compliance with labour regulations to protect both employers and workers.

 

By broadening its recruitment strategy, Thailand hopes to offset the immediate shortage and create a more resilient labour market, ensuring economic stability amid ongoing challenges.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-14