Thailand extends contracts of over 200,000 migrant workers
Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai
Cabinet's recent decision to extend employment contracts for over
200,000 migrant workers has eased concerns about a domestic labour
shortage.
Poj Aramwattananont, Vice Chairman of the Thai
Chamber of Commerce and President of the Labour and Skill Development
Committee, said based on discussions held with the chamber and the
Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the cabinet approved an MoU on foreign
workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar; and an agreement on foreign workers
from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The approval was based on a cabinet resolution from July 5,
2022 and another dated February 7, 2023.
According to government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, the
move is intended to reinforce economic security. The extension applies
to migrant workers who arrived under labour- related MoUs signed by governments.
However, Anucha said that the cabinet changed its mind and approved the
extension as the lingering uncertainty over the government's formation
threatens to leave a huge labour vacuum.
The cabinet previously rejected the ministry's
request for an extension, fearing it would create a burden of responsibility on the new government.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu
Krea-ngam, without the extension, the migrant workers would have had to return
home and wait until a new government took power before they could come back to
resume their employment in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Poj acknowledged that Thailand is
facing structural problems, with severe shortages in both the quantity and
quality of labour, especially in tourism, service, construction and real
estate, food processing and small business. These sectors have a high demand
for a large number of workers to support the country's economic growth post
pandemic./.