Ex-ASEAN chief urges change in attitude towards migrant workers

BANKGOK, February 1 (TNA) - The former secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Surin Pitsuwan, has called for a change in policy and mindset toward undocumented migrant workers by the Thai government, suggesting that they can become labour supply for several businesses in the country. Speaking in Bangkok on Friday at a luncheon gathering hosted by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Surin, who is a former Thai foreign minister, recommended that the new mindset toward the employment of migrant workers needs to be developed by Thai authorities, from just considering them as a threat to national security. Surin also urged the Thai government to take urgent actions, whether by introducing a green card or a permanent resident system, to address the undocumented migrant workers, in parallel with ensuring their access to local health services. As the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC, set to be formed by 2015 with free flows of both skilled and unskilled workers from neighbouring countries, the ex-ASEAN chief cautioned that the Thai government comes up with legitimate measures to protect local businesses, particularly those in the seafood processing and textile and garment sectors. (TNA)