Imprisonment ‘should be removed’ from migrant law

Imprisonment should be removed as a penalty from the new migrant law, leaving only fines as a deterrent, a public hearing was told on Thursday.

The forum was held to listen to public opinions on the foreign workers law, which came into effect on June 23.

The participants sought to reduce the fines from 400,000 and 800,000 baht and lift the jail terms altogether for normal employment offences such as working without permits or doing prohibited jobs. The heavy penalties should apply only to human trafficking offences, they said.

For greater transparency, they also want a committee set up to determine the fines, instead of letting the director-general of the Employment Department or provincial governors decide.

The participants from the private sector also proposed that the 39 professions reserved for Thais be reviewed in line with the country’s development plans.

ML Puntarik said in principle the occupations involving traditional Thai knowledge and Thai arts, as well as those governed by professional councils, were reserved for Thais.

Labour Ministry permanent secretary ML Puntarik Smiti said a proposal to amend the law had to be completed in October. The opinions from participants at public hearings will be sent to the Council of State.

Anantachai Uthaipattanacheep said Cambodia would send 360 officials to facilitate the identification of migrant workers in Thailand. They will be stationed at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok and at centres in Rayong and Songkhla provinces from Sept 15 to Dec 12.

The government issued on June 23 an executive decree on migrant workers, with heavy fines on employers who hire illegal migrant workers. It triggered an exodus of workers and a sudden labour shortage in many industries as many employers suddenly stopped hiring them, prompting the government to allow a relaxation period.

By: Penchan Charoensuthipan, Bangkok Post

Published on: 7 September 2017