New Delays Leave Migrant Workers in Limbo

[Jacob Maslow]

Myanmar migrant workers are stuck in limbo as they wait for Thailand to approve a new registration scheme. The new scheme will affect half a million migrant workers.

Myanmar migrant workers will have to wait even longer for Thailand to approve a registration scheme. Migrant workers are concerned as the expiration dates on their temporary documents draw near.

In early March, Myanmar announced that it would issue certificates of identity to more than half a million migrant workers and their dependents. The certificates will be given to those currently holding temporary residency cards and work permits that will expire on March 31.

According to the National News Bureau of Thailand, however, the documents will now be valid for another three months and further extensions may be granted as necessary. Thai officials are in the process of coming up with a solution to regulate its foreign labor force, which is largely comprised of undocumented workers.

Thanks to a new cabinet resolution that was implemented in early March, Migrants from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar who have their nationality verified by March 31 will now be granted permission to work in Thailand for two years.

What happens to migrants workers who aren’t verified by March 31? Those holding temporary work permits can apply for a year-long registration until June 30. Workers who complete the national verification can have their year-long registration extended. Migrant worker who miss the June 30 deadline may face arrest and deportation.

For Myanmar migrants, the verification process isn’t an easy one. Many of these workers have no official identification documents from the Myanmar government. Without a household registration and national ID, Myanmar residents cannot obtain a passport.

But Myanmar’s new certificate program can go a long way in resolving this problem if the Thai authorities would approve it. The Labour Ministry in Myanmar is ready and able to accept applications as soon as they receive the go-ahead from Thailand. Thus far, Thailand hasn’t provided a timeline for approval. Officials say the plan will need to be submitted to the parliament before it can be approved.

-- 2015-03-11

[geovalin]

Phnom Penh Post point of view

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807598-thai-countdown-for-migrants/