On March 1, 2022, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong, spoke about the request of Thai workers in Ukraine to return home through the media on February 28. He received a report from Acting Lt. Gen. Anutep Sridaoruang, Udon Thani Employment Officer, that as soon as he heard the news, he went to the house at No. 59, Moo. 9, Khaosan Subdistrict, Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province. This is the home of Mrs. Suchawdee Lin, 50, a Thai worker who requested to return home via media, as she is trapped in a collision zone in Ukraine. This Thai worker has traveled to work by herself as a spa massage therapist and is a fund member that helps job seekers working abroad. From talking with Mrs. Suchawadee’s sister, he learned that she had called her sister and told her that she and her four friends who worked at the same shop had gathered together and left for Kharkiv to go to Lviv. Everyone is now safe and has joined with Thais and other Thai workers as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated preparations before returning to Thailand.
Mr. Boonchob also spoke about the measures to help Thai workers in Ukraine. He said that the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had worked closely together to help Thai people and Thai workers. Thai workers do not have to worry about anything else now. First and foremost, the Ministry of Labour wants everyone to return safely. As for unpaid wages, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate and assist, including the benefits that Thai workers should receive from being a member of the fund to assist job seekers working abroad. The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment will arrange for staff to set up a registration desk to receive requests and facilitate care in the process, documents, and evidence, including clarification on benefits for payment of assistance to Thai workers.
“The Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan are concerned about all Thai people and Thai workers who have been affected by this incident. Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin was instructed to take the best care of Thai workers. The Ministry of Labour has worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accomplish this mission of helping Thai people in Ukraine successfully and for everyone to return home safely,” concluded Mr. Boonchob.
+++++++++++++++++++
Division of Public Relations
1 March 2022
