No crackdown on foreign workers: NCPO

[webfact]

AFTERMATH
Junta: No crackdown on foreign workers
The Nation



Video of shooting of pickup carrying cambodians may have raised fears

BANGKOK: -- THE MILITARY junta yesterday reiterated it has no policy to crack down on migrant workers here despite the exodus of more than 120,000 Cambodian "illegals", amid rumours of fierce operations targeting them.

"The military has no policy to do anything with migrant workers. There are no troops hunting migrant workers in Thailand," spokesman Winthai Suvari said.

The junta's 59th order on June 10 to set up a committee chaired by General Tanasak Patimapragorn, the Supreme Commander and deputy head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would take care of policy matters, not an operation to crack down workers, he said.

Deputy director the Labour Ministry's Employment Department Thanit Noumnoi said most Cambodian workers had returned home because their four-year contracts had been completed. And some had returned for work on farms as the planting season had begun, he said.

However, many had panicked about the political situation in Thailand and a recent rumour (of people being shot), he said. "The labour ministry is now working to help them know the real situation that we don't have policy to crack down on them," he said, adding that the ministry was producing posters and billboards to give them correct information.

The return of Cambodian workers would not have serious ramifications on the economy, he claimed, saying the demand of labour would not rise until the economy takes off in the next six months.

The Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Sihasak Phungketkeow is due to meet today with Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand, Eat Sophea, to explain the Thai policy on migrant workers and ask her to convey better understanding in regard to Cambodian workers here.

Despite this, however, Cambodian workers were still crossing the border back to their home country, as they do not trust the situation and relatives at home have kept urging them to return because of fears for their safety.

A video clip circulated yesterday showed a group of armed men dressing like police in hot pursuit of Cambodian workers on a truck in Bothong district, Chon Buri. The clip, later proved to be real, fuelled more fears among them.

The incident took place on Sunday when gunmen on a pick-up shot the tyres of another truck laden with Cambodian workers. The truck later overturned killing two Cambodians and injuring many others on board. Stray bullets also injured an 11-year-old girl walking along the road during the pursuit, according to Suwichan Yankittikul, deputy Chon Buri provincial police commander. The police arrested some suspects and were investing whether they any were security officials, he said.

However, roundups of migrant workers are conducted on a daily basis. Officials in Chiang Mai yesterday briefly detained more than 100 foreign workers standing at a site where migrants wait for jobs in that province. All were released later as they had proper documents, an official in the operation said.


-- The Nation 2014-06-17

[terryp]

about time the power behind these workers were exposed ..like the police, army etc in 2014 this is disgusting but thats Thailand land of corrupt smile for you

[bangkokheat]

sounds like a case of closing the gate after the horse has bolted

[Bluespunk]

And yet they run.

So if it's not the military, what has spooked these workers so much?

Edited June 16, 2014 by Bluespunk

[chooka]

Sounds like the Junta is attracting a lot of international heat lately. Does a backflip on it's pro slavery vote and now scrambling to say they haven't threatened Cambodians.

[siampolee]

I cannot find any references in the press regarding a clamp down on foreign labour apart from the illegal workers possibly being sought out.

Seems as if a touch of mass hysteria has hit all concerned.

Possibly those people in positions of power in uniforms or suits have taken fright that their past and current manipulation of the laws regarding both immigration and labour have been flaunted and thus those mentioned exposed...

[NongKhaiKid]

And yet they run.

So if it's not the military, what has spooked these workers so much?

As i said in another thread rumours can take on a life of their own so god knows who or what started it and how much it was exaggerated as it was passed on.

The other newspaper is reporting the worry amongst Thai businesses at the loss of so much ( cheap ) labour which will be felt everywhere.

Just who would benefit from starting this rumour if deliberate or was it an unfortunate throwaway line somewhere that became a snowball at the top of the hill ?

[Suriya4]

Please ban that video immediately. It is not returning happiness to Thailand. There is no crackdown. All illegal migrant are allowed to stay as long as they want. Also there was no coup, just a change in management.

[toonsai]

Even through Army would have legitimate reasons to better control foreign workers and later give them an opportunity to re-enter legally, the method used is highly questionable. No warning, no cooperation with neighboring countries. Only threats to workers and intimidation. What about all the (Thai) businesses that were employing them for years? You want to change, clean and improve the system? good idea but then also start to equally punish people employing illegal workers. And by the way, start to ask CP to better control their supply chain of "slavery". It would be a good example to the World and most importantly, for other businesses in Thailand. What is done now is just dressing; things will be back to normal after military are gone. The whole Thai Society is corrupted and the military junta will not change mentalities.

[thumper101]

And yet they run.

So if it's not the military, what has spooked these workers so much?

It doesn't take a rocker scientist to see through this entire setup, and I still wouldn't trust the police as far as I can throw them, they are to the larger extent, still getting their strings pulled from Dubai.

Thaksin would rather see the entire country and its people go down the tubes out of pure spite. He certainly would not think twice about executing a few cambodians to create problems for Prayuth.

The Bastard.

The Junta should refuse to return power as long as these games are being played.

Balls to democracy.... It's crap in this country and does more harm than good.

They could end all this crap tomorrow with just taking one person down.

[thumper101]

Even through Army would have legitimate reasons to better control foreign workers and later give them an opportunity to re-enter legally, the method used is highly questionable. No warning, no cooperation with neighboring countries. Only threats to workers and intimidation. What about all the (Thai) businesses that were employing them for years? You want to change, clean and improve the system? good idea but then also start to equally punish people employing illegal workers. And by the way, start to ask CP to better control their supply chain of "slavery". It would be a good example to the World and most importantly, for other businesses in Thailand. What is done now is just dressing; things will be back to normal after military are gone. The whole Thai Society is corrupted and the military junta will not change mentalities.

Erm.... What threats and intimidation from the military?

Also why would they have to cooperate with other countries or give warnings????

The military are not engaged in deportations, the immigration police are doing it.

The majority are leaving of their own accord thank to some shi7-stirring.

You forget that even before the power sieze, the immigration were doing so many raids a day and deporting illegal workers.

Please don't tell me you believe all the gossip you hear..... lol

[Emptyset]

I cannot find any references in the press regarding a clamp down on foreign labour apart from the illegal workers possibly being sought out.

Seems as if a touch of mass hysteria has hit all concerned.

Possibly those people in positions of power in uniforms or suits have taken fright that their past and current manipulation of the laws regarding both immigration and labour have been flaunted and thus those mentioned exposed...

The mass exodus comes after Thai Army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong on Wednesday said the junta viewed illegal workers as a "threat." "We see illegal workers as a threat because there were a lot of them and no clear measures to handle them, which could lead to social problems," she said.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/For-Bangkok,-migrant-workers-are-a-threat.-Cambodians-flee-the-country-31370.html

Gen Prayuth's dissertation research a few years back when he was at the Nation Defence College concerned "non-traditional" threats to society. He identified "migrant workers and undocumented persons as one of four urgent and immediate threats to Thai society", according to Charlie Thame of Thammasat University. On the 30th May Prayuth announced a new policy (actually an old policy intiated by Thaksin but never implemented) of special economic zones in selected border areas. Migrant labour will be encouraged in these zones, but the idea is to have them stay there and not cross over into central provinces, as it's believed they become a security threat and take jobs away from Thais. So it's likely this crackdown was part of preparation for the new policy.

[Emptyset]

And yet they run.

So if it's not the military, what has spooked these workers so much?

As i said in another thread rumours can take on a life of their own so god knows who or what started it and how much it was exaggerated as it was passed on.

The other newspaper is reporting the worry amongst Thai businesses at the loss of so much ( cheap ) labour which will be felt everywhere.

Just who would benefit from starting this rumour if deliberate or was it an unfortunate throwaway line somewhere that became a snowball at the top of the hill ?

The Phnom Pehn Post coverage has been better on this than the Thai press. Rumours of shootings and brutality are not substantiated yet it seems many of those rushing to the border had heard the same stories (in different parts of the country). Also army "facilitated" the movement of many of them to the border and some migrants have been quoted as saying they were told to leave by authorities, but many decided to leave of their own accord after hearing these rumours.

It's not just Cambodians btw, there have been reports that Burmese and Vietnamese are also leaving, but Cambodians are the main target:

"CHIANG MAI — A heavy crackdown on undocumented migrants in Thailand has so far mostly targeted Cambodian workers, although there have been frequent reports of arrests of Burmese workers, according to organizations working with Burmese migrants in Thailand.

“There is no big crackdown on Burmese immigrant workers like on Cambodians,” said Win Tun, joint secretary of Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation, a group of agencies that recruit Burmese workers for jobs in Thailand."

http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/burmese-migrants-arrested-main-target-thai-crackdown.html

[siampolee]

Emptyset

Thank you for the clarification of the issue or the facts that seem to lead to the current issue..

The current scenario is not out of line with such similar situations in other countries regarding migrant labour truth be known.

[Emptyset]

Emptyset

Thank you for the clarification of the issue or the facts that seem to lead to the current issue..

The current scenario is not out of line with such similar situations in other countries regarding migrant labour truth be known.

Also if you google "100k plus migrants - Phnom Pehn Post", they have a good video report with interviews with some of the migrants. They've all heard the rumours, and believed they might be shot if they stayed but the Post couldn't find anyone who'd actually witnessed any brutality first hand.

[Hawk]

Foreign workers are targeted by uniform police, immigration and plain clothes oinks every day, year after year. Better the bosses in the capital get their facts straight or just stop lying.

[Fat Haggis]

There's no smoke without fire !

[scoutman360]

No crackdown... unless you white farang on tourist visa and no work permit.

[belg]

hold on to your buttcrack ... farangs are next ?

oh I forgot, the border run crackdown first, what is next ?

[anon467367354]

ever think that it may just be that the illegals are fleeing the country,

those here legally are not?

[webfact]

NCPO dismisses alien worker clampdown rumour

BANGKOK, 17 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order has issued its 67th announcement last night, addressing rumours that local authorities are clamping down on illegal migrant workers in Thailand.

Hundreds of thousands of Cambodian workers have been crossing the border back to their home country after hearing the news. The NCPO dismissed the reported crackdown as baseless and expressed concerns that an influx of workers leaving Thailand will significantly impact the country’s economic development.

The NCPO said in the announcement that business operators are required to register foreign employees in a bid to tackle criminal activities, unfair working conditions and drugs-related crimes. Migrant workers are also urged to be on a lookout for individuals posing as local officials who spread false rumours regarding the clampdown. Any information regarding these individuals should be forwarded to the NCPO for further investigation.

Operators are also obligated to inform their alien workers of the NCPO’s policies and cooperate with the body on tackling the issue in the long run.

The NCPO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have called for understanding of the true situation from the international press and organizations in a bid to undo damage brought on by the rumours.


-- NNT 2014-06-17

[Goat Roper]

And yet they run.

So if it's not the military, what has spooked these workers so much?

As i said in another thread rumours can take on a life of their own so god knows who or what started it and how much it was exaggerated as it was passed on.

The other newspaper is reporting the worry amongst Thai businesses at the loss of so much ( cheap ) labour which will be felt everywhere.

Just who would benefit from starting this rumour if deliberate or was it an unfortunate throwaway line somewhere that became a snowball at the top of the hill ?

IMO only two scenarios, some employers started the rumor for fear of being caught for using cheap labor or.......anti-military/pro Thaksin groups. Can't think of any other, anyone?

[timewilltell]

Well I guess many were illegals which brings into question just WHY so many are illegal. If these people are doing low paid jobs that Thais don't want and it is costly or difficult to get legal status then these people 'who are likely ill educated and not very bright in the first place', are not going to have the wherewithal to jump through the hoops. Leaving it to Thai employers is not the answer as most will not want to spend one baht nor one minute to get someone else legal.

I guess there is fear now which is driving people away even though that is contrary to the intention. Maybe provide a simple processing centre to enable them to comply? Or just makes the rules easier to fulfill?

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[siampolee]

Emptyset post # 15

Also if you google "100k plus migrants - Phnom Pehn Post", they have a good video report with interviews with some of the migrants. They've all heard the rumours, and believed they might be shot if they stayed but the Post couldn't find anyone who'd actually witnessed any brutality first hand.

They've all heard the rumours, and believed they might be shot if they stayed but the Post couldn't find anyone who'd actually witnessed any brutality first hand.

Now there in that line is the answer, runmour mongering started by who for what reasons?

​Fear of being caught using unregistered foreign labour, a plan to perhaps affect certain industries in certain areas or those responsible for ignoring the trafficking in illegal labour becoming afraid they're going to be exposed.?

​certainly room for speculation and circumstantial evidence there.

[tingtongteesood]

Maybe nothing more than a conspiracy theory but I can't help thinking this is cooked up by the opponents of the 'junta' to make them look bad, they were told they couldn't show opposition overtly so now they are doing things covertly. The rumour came from somewhere, who started it and why ? These are important questions.

[Goat Roper]

I'm going with anti Junta groups (aka you know who) that started the rumor. As someone said in an earlier post a shortage of labor could make the Junta look bad. Been reading about mega projects possibly coming online soon that will need gangs of labor.

[webfact]

Ministry of Labour denies migrant worker prosecution in Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 17 -- Jirasuk Sugandhajati, permanent secretary to the Thai Ministry of Labour, said that tomorrow he would visit Chon Buri province with Pravit Khiengpol, director-general of the Department of Employment, to discuss ways to better communication between migrant workers, eastern labour officials and provincial governors.

The movement responds to the rumour that Thai authorities are rounding up alien workers. Due to the rumor, over 100,00 Cambodian workers have left Thailand.

Mr Jirasuk also said that he ordered ministry staff to make leaflets in the Khmer, Myanmar and Lao languages to tell migrant workers to ignore the rumour.

He said that the Ministry of Labour had no special policy to arrest migrant workers and that he hoped that his move would prevent labor shortage among Thai operators.

Mr Pravit said that there were two solutions. The first one is to tell the Cambodian workers who arrive for day-shift work and return home in the evening to continue to work in Thai farms as usual.

The second solution will handle migrant workers in the construction sector which is also being affected. Under the solution, such workers must be imported legally and they must carry passports and have visas.

Later this month Thai officials will offer one-stop services for the legal import of labor at three border checkpoints--in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-17

[Fat Haggis]

Would that mean that those arrested in Chaing Mai have all been released and are now back at their places of work?

[khwaibah]

Today I have witnessed 3 old school buses with at least 60 people in each, another dozen truck loads, 3 each 10 wheelers on the 214 highway passing Kap Choeng Immigration heading for the Chong Chom Border Crossing. About 400 people.This is today as of 1330.

[Fat Haggis]

There has to be a lot more to this story than to have so many react to "rumours", they're still leaving in droves despite the NCPO downplaying it all.