[Myanmar] Thai Business Wants Extension Of Migrant Worker Deadline

Thai business leaders are calling on the government to extend a registration deadline for migrant workers as Thai companies rely heavily on cheap migrant labor, Bangkok-based newspaper The Nation reports. The deadline is set to pass on Friday, after which many of the roughly 2.5 million Burmese workers would have to visit Burma to get passports and re-enter Thailand to get work permits. If they do not, workers can only carry out unregistered employment. Thai Chamber of Commerce director Poj Aramwattananont said most sectors would be adversely affected by the measure. Thai Condominium Association President Atip Bijanond said a construction sector labor shortage would worsen after the deadline passes.