Temporary passports for Burmese migrants to be issued in Thailand, Mizzima

The Burmese government will start issuing temporary passports to its illegal workers in Thailand next month.Workers can apply for temporary passports at 10 centres in Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Pathum Thani, Kanchanaburi, Rayong, Khon Kaen, Songkhla and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces from Feb 15 to May 15, the Burmese embassy in Thailand said in a statement.

The decision is part of the plan by Thailand and Burma to end illegal migrant workers from Burma. The two governments have held a series of talks to solve the problem. The latest round took place last Tuesday.

The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to extend the deadline of nationality verification for foreign workers from Burma, Laos and Cambodia from Dec 15 last year to April 15 in a proposal forwarded by the Labour Ministry.

Thai Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap said last week that 266,677 workers from the three countries did not verify their nationality within the December deadline.

Migrant workers from Burma have until Feb 2 to report to and register with the ministry to confirm their job status before applying for the documents from the Burmese government, the embassy added.

By Mizzima
Published on 21 January 2013