On April 5, 2021, at the Foreign Worker Management Policy Committee Meeting No. 3/2021, the committee approved the extension of the Covid-19 screening period and the collection of biometrics for migrant workers of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) from the original deadline of April 16 to June 16.
Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin said that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, as the Chairman of the Board for the Foreign Worker Management Policy Committee, acknowledged the concerns of employers and business operators regarding foreign workers according to the Cabinet’s resolution on December 29, 2020, together with the Cabinet’s resolution on January 26, 2021. Some may not be able to perform Covid-19 tests and the collection of personal identity information (Biometrics) by April 16, 2021. However, public health facilities and the Immigration Offices are ready to complete the service on time. This will result in such foreign workers unable to work legally.
“The Ministry of Labour set a meeting for the Foreign Worker Management Policy Committee No. 3/2021 to consider solutions for issues regarding the Covid-19 screening and the collection of personal information (biometrics) of migrant workers. The committee consists of representatives from government agencies and the private sector. The meeting assessed the situation of foreign workers. It passed a resolution to extend the period of Covid-19 screening and the collection of biometrics among foreign workers of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) until June 16, 2021. The Ministry of Labour will present the solution to the Cabinet for consideration and approval on April 7 so that various departments can carry out their responsibilities in the relevant sections. Initial efforts will involve the integration with responsible agencies in the area. Provincial Employment Offices across the country will act as intermediaries, coordinating with private hospitals to proactively screen for Covid-19 in the workplace. The Provincial Public Health Office will certify the Covid-19 test results and obtain health insurance. The pilot has now begun in Chonburi, which is considered to be a province with the second-highest number of migrant workers in the country,” said the Labour Minister.
Deputy Permanent Secretary and Acting Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Phairoj Chotikasathian, said that the Department of Employment is open to employers/business operators and migrant workers of the three nationalities (Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar) to inform the name list or personal information online, according to the above resolution from Jan 15, 2021, to Feb 13, 2021. The latest operational results collected 422,305 biometrics, 68,575 people have been tested for Covid-19, 68,548 people have received work authorization (Bor.Tor. 48 approval), and 24,610 people and have created ID cards for non-Thai citizens (pink card/work permit). A total of 654,864 migrant workers have informed their personal information through the electronic system, including those with employers and those without (data as of April 1, 2021). If the Cabinet approves to extend the time for another two months from the original schedule to be completed by April 16, 2021, to June 16, 2021, as proposed by the committee’s meeting, it is expected that employers/business operators will be able to complete the procedure without issues.
“I would like to repeat that migrants with or without employers speed up appointments for Covid-19 screening, purchase health insurance from government hospitals, and provide personal identity information (biometrics) with the Immigration Office to be complete as scheduled. Do not wait until the end of the period. You can inquire about the procedure for obtaining a foreign work permit at the Provincial Employment Office, Bangkok Employment Office Area 1 – 10, at Line @Service_Workpermit or the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline, press 2 for the Department of Employment, or call the Department of Employment’s 1694 hotline. Interpreters are available in Cambodian, Myanmar, and English languages, read to advise the relevant processes,” said Mr. Pairoj.
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Division of Public Relations
5 April 2021
