Cabinet approves systematization of Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian workers

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet approves systematization of Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian workers

BANGKOK, 8 March 2015 (NNT) – The systematization process of Myanmar, Laos and Cambodian workers is set to commence after 31 March 2015 as approved by the cabinet.

The cabinet on 3 March 2015 approved the systematization of foreign workers as proposed by the Ministry of Labour, granting the Myanmar, Laos and Cambodian workers who have passed the nationality verification process prior to 31 March 2015 the right to work in Thailand for an additional 2 years after the expiry of their permit on 31 March 2016.

As for Myanmar, Laos and Cambodian workers who have received a work permit from the One Stop Service but fail to pass the nationality verification process by 31 March 2015 will have to request for a new identification and permit by 30 June 2015. The new permit will allow them to stay in the kingdom for 1 year, and can be employed from 1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016, providing more time for them to go through the nationality verification process.

After receiving the nationality verification, foreign workers will be allowed to work for 2 more years.

All unreported and unregistered workers within 30 June 2015 will be arrested for deportation in accordance with the law and the orders of the National Council for Peace and Order. Any dependants under 15 years old are also required to report themselves along with the workers in order to obtain the rights to stay in the kingdom.

On the systematization process, the Ministry of Labour has been appointed to consider and design the procedures, while the Ministry of Interior will set up One Stop Service centres for the registration of labourers, and will be the main agency to coordinate with the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Public Health, and other agencies. The One Stop Service centres are expected to begin services on 1 April 2015 until needed, with a dissolution date not exceeding 30 June 2015.

Regarding the solving of labour shortage in the fishing industry, registered Myanmar, Laos and Cambodian workers in the fishing industry will be allowed to work in the kingdom from 1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016, while the authorities are considering the feasibility of the legal foreign workers importation as proposed by the National Legislative Assembly.

The Thai government will also improve the Memorandum of Understanding on employment cooperation with the government of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, especially to reduce the gap time after the completion of a 4-year employment program from 3 years to just 30 days for the continuity of employment while still giving workers the time to visit their families.

-- NNT 2015-03-08

[Soutpeel]

good to see they are trying to sort out the current system for the workers and their dependents

[maidee]

can a farang obtain citizenship from one of the mentionned countries? would be easier & cheaper to work here

[toybits]

But aren't they systematically exploited already?

[Daniel Ingalls]

I've heard stories of Westerner going to Vietnam, Lao's, Cambodia and obtaining citizenship, then come to

Thailand seeking Thai citizenship. Its seems amongst the above mention countries they have a separate agreement

on Asian citizenships which would be much cheaper, and easier than using USA, British, or Auzzie passports.

[Soutpeel]

I've heard stories of Westerner going to Vietnam, Lao's, Cambodia and obtaining citizenship, then come to

Thailand seeking Thai citizenship. Its seems amongst the above mention countries they have a separate agreement

on Asian citizenships which would be much cheaper, and easier than using USA, British, or Auzzie passports.

and I think that's exactly it..Stories, urban legends, fabrications...

[Tomtomtom69]

I've heard stories of Westerner going to Vietnam, Lao's, Cambodia and obtaining citizenship, then come to

Thailand seeking Thai citizenship. Its seems amongst the above mention countries they have a separate agreement

on Asian citizenships which would be much cheaper, and easier than using USA, British, or Auzzie passports.

From what I've heard it's the exact opposite.

Legally speaking, there is no way Cambodian, Lao or Burmese workers employed as migrant laborers can ever become Thai citizens. They can merely work continually as poorly paid blue collar workers in jobs that require few or no skills or training and have skills shortages. Once they're no longer needed, they have to leave the country. I have met Burmese migrant workers that have worked in Thailand for 15-20 years and with reasonable Thai, but they are no closer to getting Thai citizenship than the day they arrived. But then again, most are not seeking citizenship either as it's relatively easy for them to stay on migrant labour visas and work permits, with many even looking forward to the day they can return to work better jobs in their home countries. Some of them have already started doing so.

On the other hand, westerners or citizens of other countries, including Cambodian, Lao or Burmese workers using ordinary passports and working in higher skilled positions on non-O or non-B visas and extensions of stay with work permit, who have lived in Thailand continually for 3 years and are married to Thai citizens can apply for Thai citizenship after 3 consecutive yearly extensions of stay and a minimum income of 40,000 Baht per month, without even needing permanent residency first. I don't know the rules for BOI workers who get 2 year extensions of stay and work permits, but presumably the 3 year rule and minimum income applies to them too. Female foreigners married to Thai males apparently acquire citizenship almost instantly though. For foreigners not married to Thais, permanent residency can be applied for after 3 consecutive yearly extensions of stay followed by 5? years I think it is before citizenship can be applied for.

Citizenship in other ASEAN countries works quite differently than in Thailand. In Cambodia, foreigners can legally buy citizenship by making a large investment in the country or bringing in a certain minimum amount to be added to the nation's budget. Apparently according to the Cambodia investment guide I have from 2012 I believe it is, back then the amount needed to be invested was US$265,000.

Laos and Vietnam I believe used to be very difficult to gain citizenship in, even if their residency requirements are a lot more relaxed than Thailand's. For example, unlimited visa runs and multiple in country extensions of tourist and business visas are routine and there is no restriction on residing for years on tourist visas in those countries. But citizenship is another matter and unlike in Thailand, where quite a few foreigners have received Thai citizenship, I have heard of very, very few who have managed to do the same in Vietnam or Laos.

Singapore is relatively straight forward for getting citizenship though, except that 12 years of residency and a willingness to give up your previous nationality is required.

[Tomtomtom69]

can a farang obtain citizenship from one of the mentionned countries? would be easier & cheaper to work here

Not really, unless you don't mind earning only 300-350 Baht a day and being a toilet cleaner, seafood process worker, maid, welder or another type of blue collar worker that generally doesn't require much training or skills.

Cambodian, Lao and Burmese migrant workers can't work in highly skilled positions, for that they'd need to apply with normal passports and non-B visas just like the rest of us. Provisions under the AEC 2015 agreement will make it easier for some skilled professionals, but it won't exactly be like Europe's EU and Schengen rules either, not yet anyway.

Unless you have about $US265,000 for the Cambodian government to grant you citizenship to spare, you might just find it easier to marry a Thai, work on 3 consecutive yearly non immigrant visa extensions and earn the minimum salary and apply for Thai citizenship and then problem solved. I hear that surprisingly, fluent Thai isn't even a requirement anymore, as strange as that sounds in a society where even a perfectly fluent in Thai foreigner is still praised on his Thai and then asked where he comes from or how long he's been here.

It's perhaps no coincidence that I speak from personal experience. I'm fluent in Thai and many Thais have told me to apply for citizenship. I'd be happy to but first I would need to meet the requirements, which may take me a couple more years, unless they were to change in the meantime.