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

Strategic Insights -

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