Myanmar, Thai ministers meet on labour issue

BANGKOK, July 9 (TNA) -- Labour Minister Gen Sirichai Ditthakul has discussed to solve labour problems arising from confusion over Thailand's tough new migrant worker rules with his Myanmar counterpart Thien Swe in which the latter accepted “temporary” proposals designed to eradicate the problem. The discussion was held Saturday in Myanmar capital Naypydaw and, according to Waranon Peetiwan, director-general of Employment Department, who also attended the meeting the Thai side proposed four measures to Myanmar to implement. The proposals call for the Myanmar government to accelerate on issuing certificate of identity (CI) for Myanmar workers wishing to work in Thailand, to dispatch Myanmar workers on a government-to-government basis, to clarify to Myanmar workers on the order of the leader of the National Council for Peace and Order Gen Prayut Chan-ocha, also prime minister, to suspend enforcement of tough new regulations for six months after a lot of foreign migrants left the country Thailand also proposed the setup of a joint working committee to sort out problems that may arise during the six-month period before the new foreign worker regulations take effect. Also, the Thai Labour Ministry requested the Myanmar government to set up a centre responsible for issuing CI at the border for Myanmar workers desiring to return to Thailand to work, said Mr Waranon. He said the Myanmar minister accepted the proposals and requested the Thai government to provide protection to Myanmar workers. Myanmar also asked about the number of workers in Thailand so it can prepare resources to register its nationals. It also asked Thailand to check employers’ demand letters to ensure the numbers match to prevent problems stemming from illegal workers. It also asked Thailand to verify labour documents carefully to prevent imposters. (TNA)