Thais In L. A. Urged To Work Legally

[george]

Thais urged to work legally

BANGKOK: -- Nine out of 10 Thai nationals living in Los Angeles work there illegally or secure jobs without going through proper formalities, a senior Employment Department official said yesterday.

Overseas Employment Administration director Suphat Kukhun warned those looking to work in the United States to follow job-placement requirements and to not work in the US illegally.

He said the number of people duped by dishonest job-placement companies had fallen since a department campaign against illicit practices. The department offered training for labourers seeking overseas employment.

Meanwhile, Labour Ministry permanent secretary Juthathawat Inthrasuksri said the ministry would repatriate 48 Thai nationals who last week were awarded US$1 million (Bt35.5 million) in compensation.

A steel company implicated in a slave-labour scandal had forced Thai welders to work in squalid conditions without pay.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ordered Trans Bay Steel to pay the compensation. The welders had been in the US since 2002.

--The Nation 2006-12-11

[Foggy Bottom]

Aide - "Minister, have you seen this story about the Thai welders in America?"

Minister - "One million dollars huh? Quick, get them back here so they have to spend it at home, never mind about any family they've got over there, the economy needs them here".

.

[richard10365]

Illegal Thai workers in Los Angeles are the tip of the iceburg when it comes to illegal workers from other countries working in LA.

[Aujuba]

The US is sooooo much better than Thailand for justice. That's a fact. Thailand probably would jail or fine foreigners who 'got ripped off' while working here illegally. It's too bad that the Thais in Thailand don't demand fair pay here. The haves here all the way to the top don't want to give justice to the poor. Thailand and its rulers are as corrupt and self-serving as ever.

Edited December 12, 2006 by Aujuba