The announcement for enactment of the Foreign Worker Management Royal Decree B.E. 2560 gained positive feedback from the public, which agreed with the implementation of standard measures to promote social stability. This included positive feedback from neighbouring countries who are exporters of labours, which have provided their cooperation to ensure true enforcement of the royal decree.
The royal decree has impacted some industries, such as the manufacturing industry, which currently utilizes illegal labour which comes with lower labour costs, better profits and consistent growth; in some businesses and some areas, migrant workers have also become business owners which has caused uneasiness within Thai society.
The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General Mr. Soothi Sukosol presented the Labour Economic Office’s data and analysis from labour experts about the manufacturing industry. The data showed that the royal decree would result in an economic slow-down with negative impacts particularly felt on smaller businesses. In retrospect, the more impact on the industry illustrates the quantity of illegal workers employed.
Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Vice President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, gave a speech on “Foreign Worker Management Royal Decree B.E. 2560 – the benefits to Thais”, explaining that stakeholders, that are employees, organizations/employers, government units and labour-sending countries, would need to work together towards societal fairness. Mr. Soothi said that the growth of migrant worker employment across many industries and companies, led to the necessity of the royal decree which will ensure migrant employment is sustainable, through the 2 legislations which are already enforced and using measures for penalizing those who violate the law. Mr. Soothi said that awareness will be shared consistently and that within 24 July to 7 August, the ministry will finally conclude the number of illegal migrant workers and the extent of impact. He said that the opportunity was presented to employers to disclose their intent on hiring migrant workers, so that the government can help alleviate any obstacles, facilitate convenient transitioning and ensure correct legal procedures.
In tackling human trafficking, Labour Minister General Sirichai Disitakul has emphasized to the ministry’s officers and employers that all stakeholders must work together and minimize the impacts on both worker and employer, whereby assigning the ministry’s officers to proactively create justice and social equality.
Finally, Mr. Soothi urged employers and workers to come during 24 July – 7 August, emphasizing that the earlier the better for all. For more information, you can contact the Department of Employment of call the 1694 hotline.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division/
Bureau of Public Relations/
16 July 2017
