Thailand imposes stricter punishments on illegal migrant workers

Workers at a food packaging factory in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand - Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s new law on migrant workers recently took effect with an aim of controlling the use of illegal migrant workers and preventing human trafficking.

The law imposes tougher punishments on illegal migrant workers, employers who illegally hire migrant workers or who violate the basic rights of migrant workers.

Accordingly, employers will face a fine from 400,000 – 800,000 THB (about 11,000 – 23,500 USD) for each illegal migrant worker they hire.

Any migrant workers found guilty of working without work permit or engaging in prohibited jobs will be fined from 2,000 – 100,000 THB (58.73 – 2,940 USD) or imprisoned for up to five years. Those who work in sectors which are not the same as registered in the work permit will be fined up to 100,000 THB.

The new law will also impose a maximum jail sentence of six months and a maximum fine of 100,000 THB on anyone who illegally withholds migrant workers' important documents.

Individuals who send workers to foreign countries without documents issued by the department of labour management will be imprisoned from one to three years and pay a fine from 200,000 – 600,000 THB.

Meanwhile, intermediaries who help illegal job-seekers to work in Thailand will face a maximum imprisonment of ten years and a fine of 1 million THB.

The Thai Royal Decree 1979 stipulates 39 occupations and professions prohibited for foreigners, including manual work, sales, agriculture, husbandry, forestry, garment and textile, secretarial work and legal services.- VNA