Undocumented migrant workers urged to report to authorities next week

BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) – The Ministry of Labour is ready to open 101 centers for reporting undocumented migrant workers across the country to register illegal workers into the government system and to facilitate them to seek legal documents before the lenient period ends. Permanent Secretary for Labour, Boontharik Samiti today inspected the center for reporting migrant workers at the Ministry of Labour, one of 11 centers for reporting undocumented migrant workers in Bangkok while other 82 similar centers will be opened in other provinces across the country from July 24 to Aug 7. To report their migrant workers, employers or their representatives have to submit a copy of their ID cards or certificate proving registration of juristic person and three portrait photos of their migrant workers at the center. They can also register online on the website of the department of employment www.doe.go.th. After document submission, employers and their workers are required to meet officials between Aug 8 – Sept 9 for verification of their employment status, said the labour ministry spokesman, Anunchai Uthaipattanacheep. After that, travel document will be given to migrant workers, which will allow them to return to their home countries for the nationality verification process. However, Myanmar and Cambodian nationals can seek nationality verification service in Thailand as officials from their country of origin will come to provide service here. Nationality verification processes are available for Myanmar workers in Samut Sakorn, Ranong, Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai and Tak’s Mae Sot while Cambodian workers can undergo the process only in Rayong. Lao workers need to return home for the verification. After completion of the processes, they can apply for work visas and work permits before the lenient period ends on Dec 31 this year. The ministry expects at least 1.5 million undocumented migrant workers will report to the authorities during the 15-day opening of the service. (TNA)