The Cabinet approved special exemptions for migrants of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar) to stay in the Kingdom and work legally, under the new wave of the Covid-19 outbreak to resolve the issue of labour shortages and avoid importing foreign workers from neighboring countries.
On December 29, 2020, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin spoke about the new wave of the Covid-19 outbreak, which has found many infections among many Thai and foreigners. The situation had made the government led by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha to express concern about illegitimate migrant workers who have escaped from fear of guilt. Therefore, there should be inspection measures and Covid-19 screening among foreign workers to stop disease spread. The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment and related agencies were assigned to jointly define measures to monitor, control and prevent the spread of the diseases, which has affected the lives and health of Thai and foreign workers. “The Cabinet has approved the exemption for migrant workers of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar) to stay in the Kingdom and work legally under a special case, as proposed by the Ministry of Labour to establish urgent measures to monitor, control and prevent the impact on life and health of Thai people. The measures extend to three groups: 1) Foreign workers with employers/companies that intend to work 2) Foreign workers that do not have employers/companies and 3) Dependents who are the child of such foreign workers, not exceeding 18 years of age. The exemption allows such groups to remain in the Kingdom and work legally under a special case under the law, under the Ministry of Interior’s issued announcements and the Ministry of Labour. All of the three types of workers above must follow the guidelines announced by both versions to be able to stay in the Kingdom and work until February 13, 2023,” said the Labour Minister.
The Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Suchat Pornchaiwiseskul, and employers/business establishments must follow the established guidelines to apply for a work permit and prepare the history of people who do not have Thai nationality as follows:
1. A foreign worker with an employer/business establishment intended to be employed, including the accompanying dependent who is the child of the foreign worker, not over 18 years old:
– Employers/business establishments shall proceed to report the names of foreigners via online systems. Documents, evidence, and photographs of the foreign worker must be submitted as specified by the Department of Employment between January 15, 2021, and February 13, 2021.
– Employers/business establishments must bring foreign workers to be screened for Covid-19 and a health check for forbidden diseases with hospitals designated by the Ministry of Public Health. Health insurance for two years must be purchased, which must be done by April 16, 2021.
– Employers/business establishments must pay the application fee and work permit fee through counter services or Krung Thai Bank for 1,900 Baht and submit an application for the work permit on behalf of the foreigner online, for those who have passed the screening for Covid-19 and forbidden diseases, along with evidence as specified by the Department of Employment. This step must be completed by September 13, 2021.
– Foreigners who have been authorized to work must prepare a profile for non-Thai citizens with a work permit on the back of the pink card, following the method and procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Interior by November 12, 2021.
2. Foreigners who do not have an employer/business establishment, including the accompanying dependent who is the child of the foreign worker, not over 18 years old:
– The foreigners must submit documents, evidence, and photos as specified by the Department of Employment via online systems, which has four languages, Thai, Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar, between January 15, 2021, and February 13, 2021.
– The foreigner must report personal information in a given form to be screened for Covid-19 and a health check for forbidden diseases with hospitals designated by the Ministry of Public Health. Health insurance for two years must be purchased, which must be done by April 16, 2021.
– Foreigners who pass the health checks must prepare a profile for non-Thai citizens, following the method and procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Interior, by June 16, 2021 (the foreigner will receive a certificate of registration of history (Tho 38/1) as evidence without receiving the pink card)
– Foreigners shall find an employer and register on the list of foreigners with the Department of Employment and use the name list approved by the Department of Employment to pay for the application and work permit through counter services or Krung Thai Bank for 1,900 Baht. The employer/business establishment must submit an application for the work permit on behalf of the foreigner online, for those who have passed the screening for Covid-19 and forbidden diseases, along with evidence as specified by the Department of Employment. This step must be completed by September 13, 2021.
– The foreigner must update their profile for non-Thai citizens with a work permit on the back of the pink card, following the method and procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Interior.
Foreigners working in the sea fishing business must prepare a Seabook (green book) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. There is a fee of 100 Baht. After the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has considered it successfully, the foreign will receive a Seabook (green book) as proof used with a pink card to stay and work in the country.
Employers/business establishments and foreigners of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Lao, and Myanmar) can ask for more information at the Provincial Employment Office, Employment Office Bangkok Area 1 – 10 or through Line @Service_Workpermit, or the Ministry of Labour’s hotline, tel. 1506 press 2 for the Department of Employment. Services are provided in Cambodian, Myanmar, and English languages, offering recommendations and advice.
Division of Public Relations
30 December 2020
