During 25-26 August 2011, Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia in coordination with the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur convened a seminar at the Embassy’s Bu-Nga Raya Conference Room with participations of 44 labour volunteers across Malaysia, labour volunteer network, and human trafficking victims.
Lectures and discussions on several topics were held during the seminar which was presided over by the Thai Ambassador to Malaysia.
1) Lecture on distress of Thai people in Malaysia: causes and assistances by Thai Consul-General in Kota-Bharu, Consul of Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, and Minister Counselor (Consular Affairs) of the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
2) Lecture on labour situation in Malaysia: problems and solutions by Counselor (Labour Affairs).
3) Talk on preventive project on trafficking of Pattaya women into Malaysia by Director of Fountain of Life Center Pattaya and Pakiny Srichumpabal Group.
4) Lecture on human traffickers tactics by representatives from Department of Social Development and Welfare, and Anti-Trafficking Coordination Unit Northern Thailand (TRAFCORD)
5) Seminar on legal immigration as a way to prevent human traficking by Songkhla Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security, Undersecretary Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, and Minister Counselor (Police Liaison).
6) General discussion on human trafficking among participants.
At the seminar, Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia also informed participants about labour situations in Malaysia, legal immigration process, problems, and solutions. It also lectured labour volunteers about key labour policies of the Malaysia’s Government so they can make known to Thai people in their corresponding areas correctly. Key messages highlights the fact that all Thai workers must know steps and process for recruitment for overseas employment; workers with work permit must know their rights; workers without work permit who wish to continue working in the country, must know a process to legalize their employment.
Furthermore, Office of Labour Affairs in Malaysia handed out workers guidelines in Malaysia to the participants so they can further distribute them to Thai people.
