Thailand to Temporarily Allow 40,000 Myanmar Refugees to Enter Workforce

The Thai government has approved a plan to allow over 40,000 Myanmar refugees to temporarily enter the workforce in central and eastern provinces starting from 1 October. The decision aims to address labour shortages in those regions by offering one-year work permits to refugees residing in nine temporary shelters. The refugees will need to register with the Department of Provincial Administration, undergo a health check, secure health insurance, and undergo skills screening before being matched with employers and issued a work permit. The programme aims to ease labour shortages and provide a more systematic way of managing the refugee population, reducing the risk of illegal employment.

Key Takeaways:

• The Thai government will allow over 40,000 Myanmar refugees to temporarily enter the workforce starting from 1 October.
• The refugees will be issued one-year work permits, which must be renewed upon expiration.
• Registration fees for the programme will be mostly waived, with health check costs to be negotiated between the employer and employee.
• Workers must undergo a health check, secure health insurance, and have their skills screened before being issued a work permit.
• The programme will involve nine shelters in the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi.
• Workers will be deployed to areas with significant labour shortages, particularly in the industrial and agricultural hubs of Rayong and Chanthaburi.
• The government hopes the measure will address labour shortages while reducing the risk of illegal employment and benefiting both workers and businesses.
• Chamnanwit Terat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, confirmed the ministry is working with the Ministry of Labour to finalise the registration process.

Statistics:

• Over 40,000 Myanmar refugees will be allowed to temporarily enter the workforce in central and eastern provinces of Thailand.
• The registration process will involve the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Interior's Department of Provincial Administration, and the Provincial Employment Office.
• The permits will be valid for up to one year, after which workers must return to the shelter.
• Health check costs will need to be negotiated between the employer and employee.
• Workers will need to apply for permission to work outside of the shelter from their district chief.

Sources:

• Thai government officials
• Ministry of Interior
• Ministry of Labour
• Department of Provincial Administration
• Provincial Employment Office