1.56 million migrant workers, dependents registered after deadline

BANGKOK, November 1 (TNA) - A total of 1.56 million of migrant workers, including about 90,000 of their dependents, have registered with the Labour Ministry’s Employment Department, said Sumet Mahosot, director-general. The migrant workers and their dependents, of Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian nationalities, registered between June 26 and October 31, said Sumet. Friday was the last day for migrant workers to register, a step which would help them work legally in Thailand. Employers hiring illegal foreign workers from this date face a maximum fine of 100,000 baht per illegal worker employee, while an illegal foreign worker will face a maximum imprisonment of five years or a fine of 100,000 baht or both. The Employment Department will cooperate with authorities of the three neighbouring countries to conduct nationality verification identification and the process must be completed within March 31, 2015. After that a visa would be issued along with work permit between April 1 and March 31, 2016. Migrant workers receiving work permits will be entitled to enter Thailand’s social security system as specified by law which means they would receive benefits along with medical care like local workers. (TNA)