Workers at a food packaging factory in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand - Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s new law on migrantworkers recently took effect with an aim of controlling the use of illegalmigrant workers and preventing human trafficking.
The law imposes tougher punishments on illegalmigrant workers, employers who illegally hire migrant workers or who violatethe 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 orengaging 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 sectorswhich are not the same as registered in the work permit will be fined up to100,000 THB.
The new law will also impose a maximum jail sentence of six months and amaximum fine of 100,000 THB on anyone who illegally withholds migrant workers' importantdocuments.
Individuals who send workers to foreign countries without documents issued bythe department of labour management will be imprisoned from one to three yearsand pay a fine from 200,000 – 600,000 THB.
Meanwhile, intermediaries who help illegal job-seekers to work inThailand will face a maximum imprisonment of ten years and a fine of 1 millionTHB.
The Thai Royal Decree 1979 stipulates 39 occupations and professions prohibited for foreigners, including manual work, sales, agriculture, husbandry, forestry, garment andtextile, secretarial work and legal services.- VNA
