On December 20, 2018, Labour Minister H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo alongside Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Jarin Chakkaphark and committee had a discussion of official matters with Israeli Minister of Interior Mr. Aryeh Deri, at the Ministry of Interior’s meeting room in Jerusalem, Israel. The Labour Minister thanked the Israeli Minister of Interior for the opportunity to meet and thanked the Israeli government for allowing many Thai workers to work in Israel for over 20 years. This has permitted Thai workers to make and send money back to Thailand to support families, collect experience and learn in Israel’s advanced agricultural sector, which will be beneficial for returning to start as a startup entrepreneur in agriculture, helping to propel the Thai government’s 4.0 policy. He also thanked the PIBA who has provided care and protection to Thai workers together with the Labour Division.
Gen. Adul discussed the results of discussions with the Israeli Minister of Interior, that the Israeli government had passed the Council approval for the establishment of the deposit fund that requires employers to pay into the fund. When workers complete the employment contract, they will receive one month of work for each service year. Furthermore, the Thai Labour Minister asked staff caring for the Thai workers to act and blacklist employers who do not comply with the law. The Minister of Interior confirmed to take care of the health, welfare and residence of Thai workers and has added staff to inspect employers. As for problems with drugs, both sides strictly monitor the Thai workers both before and after travelling to Israel, whereas for the payslip issue, it will force recruitment agencies to prepare pay slips in Thai so that the workers understand. Meanwhile, the Israeli Minister of Interior accepted to consider adding more quotas to deploy Thai workers to work in Israel.
Gen. Adul said that this visit to Israel aimed to strengthen labour relations between Thailand and Israel and to monitor the situation of the unrest and threats of Israel. The visit also included meeting with Thai workers in Israel, to boost morale and encouragement, especially Thai workers working near risk areas in the North and Gaza.
On the same day, the Labour Minister had a discussion with Israeli Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mr. Haim Katz. Over the past many years, Thai workers have faced problems of being exploited by Israeli employers and non-compliance with contractual wage terms. Therefore, the Labour Minister urged the Israeli Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to find measures to protect the rights of Thai workers and ensure employers comply with the contractual obligations, as well as increase channels of report for Thai workers, consider harsher penalties for non-compliant employers and consider the termination of foreign worker employment quotas for employers who do not comply with the law. The Labour Minister also advised the Israeli party to increase the level of strictness about drug problems, to allow Thai workers to be protected and entitled under the Israeli law without having to file a lawsuit with the employer. The Labour Minister also met with workers to create morale and encouragement for Thai workers still working.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division/
Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab /
Information & photos by Bureau of International Cooperation/
20 December 2018
