Last day of registration for undocumented migrant workers

BANGKOK, Aug 7 (TNA) -- The registration of undocumented migrant workers comes to its last day as employers continue to show up to report their illegal migrant workers. Labour authorities expect the latest registration round to cover about 700,000 migrant workers. The grace period of the registration nationwide started on July 24 as the government postpones harsh punishments on illegal employment of migrant workers until the end of this year. As of 10am on Aug 7, employers sought registration for the employment of 171,161 migrant workers. The registrations of 158,691 workers were made at labour registration outlets and those for 12,470 workers were done online. Legal employment of migrant workers now covers 667,207 people, consisting of 388,113 Myanmar workers, 192,154 Cambodians, and 86,940 Laotians. Puntrik Smiti, permanent secretary for labour, said the registrations were increasing and more than 700,000 migrant workers should have been registered at the end of the registration on Aug 7. The number would meet the Labour Ministry’s expectation of 700,000-900,000 migrant workers to be registered, she said. According to her, the process to verify their employment will start on Aug 8. It will occur at about 80 units nationwide, including about 20 in Bangkok. Employers must show up on appointed dates with required documents. In the process from Aug 8 to Sept 6, officials will also check if workers are under 18 years old and are hired for banned jobs. After the employment is proved, officials will issue certificates for subsequent nationality verification. The workers’ certificates will be valid until March 31 next year. They will not be repatriated after the deadline but their certificates will be renewed every two years. Puntrik also said that authorities would discuss a possible revision of punishments concerning the illegal employment of migrant workers on Aug 30. (END)