BANGKOK, July 25 – Thailand’s illegal migrant worker management committee has resolved to extend the deadline to register undocumented workers from Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia for one more year, according to Department of Employment director general Pravit Khiengpol.

Mr Pravit told reporters that the committee chaired by Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung resolved to extend its deadline for registering migrant workers from the three neighbouring countries for one year.

The committee will submit the proposal to the cabinet next week.

The extension would cover an estimated 290,000 illegal migrant workers who have registered but the documentation to enlist them legally could not be completed by the August 11 deadline.

There are now 292,235 illegal migrant workers in process for official registration – 112,250 from Myanmar, 62,869 Lao and 117,089 Cambodians.

Under the terms of the resolution, the workers would be entitled to stay temporarily and work in Thailand for one year pending completion of the documentation process.

The Department of Employment would coordinate with the governments of the Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia to send their representatives to help issue papers at the 12 one- stop service units nationwide.

The department expected to complete the process within one year.

Mr Pravit also said the committee also agreed with the plan to solve the labour shortage in the fisheries industry by allowing employers to bring migrant workers to register as legal migrant workers twice a year. This proposal will be presented to the cabinet  next week. (MCOT online news)