Top civil servant to Cambodia to smooth out wrinkles
To iron out some wrinkles, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is paying a two-day visit to Cambodia. He talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen and Hor Nam Hong, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The main topic of discussion – how could it be otherwise – is the situation of Cambodian workers in Thailand. Following the exodus of Cambodian workers, the Cambodian Prime Minister of Thailand initially accused the Thai authorities of violating the rights of the migrants during the exodus.
Later, after complaints from Cambodian authorities, he backtracked and acknowledged that they were being treated "more humanely." Other topics of discussion include political developments in Thailand and border issues.
Yesterday, in the presence of the ambassador of Myanmar, a so-called one stop service center in Samut Sakhon open. Returned migrants and migrants working illegally in Thailand can register there. They get a (temporary) non Thai identification card (see picture). The card contains their name, age and nationality and the name and address of the employer. The employer will be charged 1.305 baht.
On Monday, such centers will open in 22 coastal provinces, where there is a great need for foreign workers, and other parts of the country will follow around July 15. After registration, a verification process of 60 days follows. Those who pass through can apply for a permanent work permit based on their passport.
Small and medium-sized businesses are sceptical
Small and medium-sized enterprises have doubts about the effectiveness of registration. Only large companies would benefit because they can more easily cover the cost of a passport.
Small and medium-sized businesses, which are facing labor shortages, are forced to hire illegal workers, says owner Nat Chokchaismut of a small business in Samut Sakhon.
The man employs fourteen Myanmarese. They were supplied by a middleman, who asked 18.000 baht for each. He fears that they will leave for a large factory once they have a passport and work permit, so that he will have to recruit illegal immigrants again.
“For small businesses like mine, it's a never-ending cycle. In the long run, the orders from the military mean nothing, because companies continue to need an intermediary to solve the shortage of workers.
Nat proposes to oblige the migrants to work longer for the company that provided the work permit. Another employer mentions a term of one year.
According to Samut Sakhon Governor Arthit Boonyasophat, 190.000 migrants work in his province, most of them in fishing and fish processing industries. About 100.000 are illegal immigrants, he estimates.
The main problem is corruption
Sompong Srakaew, who works at the Labor Right Promotion Network Foundation, believes the problem with illegal migrants is mainly due to corruption. Some employers charge their illegal workers 3.000 to 5.000 baht and another 500 baht per month in exchange for protection from arrest.
An academic from Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Asian Studies called on the junta to eradicate corruption and illegal middlemen at a seminar yesterday.
(Source: Bangkok Post, July 1, 2014)