The Thai government has allowed 42,000 refugees from Myanmar to work in the country to help alleviate a labour shortage.
The Thai authorities have approved a set of measures aimed at employing foreign nationals temporarily residing in special shelters for refugees from Myanmar. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on August 26 and is intended to address the country’s labor shortage and stimulate the national economy.
Labour Minister Phongkwin Chungruangkit said the initiative will apply to foreign nationals residing in all nine temporary shelters for refugees fleeing conflict in Myanmar. The shelters are located in four provinces: Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Foreigners have already been registered with the Provincial Administration Department and have received special permission to stay in the Kingdom for employment purposes for up to one year from the date of issue.
To participate in the program, foreign nationals must apply for a Landside Exit Permit and a Work Permit. Eligible foreign nationals will be able to work for employers in all sectors not prohibited for foreign workers, including positions related to labor and retail sales. These conditions align with the Department of Employment’s (DOE) announcement regarding the hiring of foreign workers.
Director-General of the Department of Employment Somchai Morakot Sriwan stated that there are currently approximately 42,000 foreign refugees residing in nine temporary accommodation centers in Thailand.
To get a job, two applications must be submitted: one for permission to leave the controlled area and one for a work permit. The applications must be accompanied by the necessary documents, including proof of the foreign worker’s health insurance from the Ministry of Public Health. Additionally, workers are required to pay the standard application and work permit fees as stipulated by law. They will be exempt from paying the relevant fees when they apply for a work permit for the first time.
The measure is designed to alleviate the financial burden on workers. The initiative follows reports of an exodus of workers from Cambodia, which has led to a worsening labor shortage in Thailand. Thailand has recently been actively regulating labor migration and ensuring the rights of foreign workers. Measures include simplifying work permit procedures, strengthening labor law enforcement, and expanding vocational training programs for foreign workers.
Involving refugees from Myanmar in labor activities is part of the Thai government’s broader strategy to address economic problems and ensure sustainable development in the country. The initiative is expected not only to meet labor market needs but also to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of refugees by providing them with opportunities to earn money and integrate into Thai society. Labor migration issues are also a crucial topic for cooperation between Thailand and other countries.
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