On April 22, 2022, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin chaired the meeting to hand over the policy of sending Thai workers to work abroad for 2022. The political management team, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Wannarat Srisuksai, joined in honour of the event. The Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Pairoj Chotiksetian, gave a report, and 127 recruiting licensees to work abroad attended the meeting in the meeting room on the 5th floor, Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Suchart said that the COVID-19 situation in the past had caused restrictions on international travel. Some receiving countries adjusted their policies and delayed the acceptance of foreign workers. But at present, the receiving countries have begun to relax international travel measures. In the 2023 fiscal year, the target is to send about 50,000 workers to work abroad, excluding re-entry travel. This is a good opportunity for Thai workers and the private sector that operates businesses sending Thai workers to work abroad. Today, the Ministry of Labour invited 127 companies with recruiting licensees to work abroad, and officials involved in sending workers to work abroad to come together to discuss and listen to feedback and suggestions for the delivery of Thai workers to work abroad. It aims to ensure that Thai workers get the most benefit, receives appropriate wages, welfare, and protection, and prevent labour trafficking issues to unlock the Tier 2 Watch List.
“I would like to thank the overseas employment licensees for ethical recruitment practices, emphasizing the best interests of Thai workers, which are the main mechanisms of the country’s economy, and thank you for joining the event today. Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees the Ministry of Labour, have consistently created opportunities for Thai workers to work abroad. This year, the Ministry of Labour will be the main strength in negotiating with government agencies and the private sector involved to strengthen relationships to work together to solve problems, build confidence, and increase incentives for employing Thai workers by employers abroad. The effort will help maintain the original labour market and accelerate the expansion of new labour markets,” said the Labour Minister.
The Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Pairoj Chotiksetian, said that one of the Department of Employment’s important tasks is to promote Thai workers to work abroad. Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin has the policy to expand new labour markets abroad. Last year, a labour cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia was drawn up. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Fundamental Information for the Organization and Residency of Specific Skilled Workers together with Japan. Efforts are underway to establish a Memorandum of Understanding for the Australian Agriculture Visa (AAV) Program with Australia. They have also proposed the delivery of G to G (Government to Government) and A to A (Agency to Agency) of workers under supervision, regulated by the Ministry of Labour with the United Arab Emirates. This is done in parallel with the protection of rights and privileges of Thai workers not to be exploited, to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, preventing Thai workers from being deceived by illegal recruiters/agents. At present, social media has a strong influence on advertising invites that deceive Thai workers into working abroad. The recruitment licensees and officials involved in the mission of sending workers to work abroad who attended the meeting today play an important role in promoting Thai workers to work abroad through legal channels.
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Division of Public Relations
22 April 2022
