Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin assigned his Advisor to send 264 Thai workers to travel to work in Israel’s agricultural sector, the last batch at the end of 2020, creating income opportunities for families. The Advisor revealed the Prime Minister’s focus on deploying Thai workers abroad, bringing back income to the country, together with knowledge and experience to further their careers.
On December 9, 2020, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin assigned Advisor to the Labour Minister Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan to visit and give words of encouragement to Thai workers traveling to work in Israel’s agricultural sector under the “Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers” (TIC) project, where each worker will earn 48,073 Baht a month. Advisory Board Member to the Labour Minister Mrs. Thienrat Navamawat also joined the occasion at the International Terminal within the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. The Labour Minister’s Advisor said that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha had given great importance to sending Thai workers to work abroad. In 2021, Thailand aims to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad, generating over 140 billion Baht in income. The Covid-19 pandemic had delayed the delivery of workers overseas until now, that the situation has improved. This is because Thailand has various measures that have controlled the spread of infection. Today, the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment has delivered 264 Thai workers overseas, comprising 257 men and seven women, to work in the agricultural sector in Israel under the “Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers” (TIC) scheme. Another 800 workers will prepare to travel by the end of the year, according to the target set after the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided, for a total of 2,000 people.
Mrs. Thiwalrat further stated that Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin attaches great importance to sending Thai workers to work abroad, supporting income into the country, and serving as an important engine in driving the economy. Workers who have worked overseas are also able to bring skills and experience back to develop the country, especially when the global hardships are in the wake of the Covid-19 epidemic; it is especially important to note that skilled Thai workers are needed. Furthermore, Thailand measures to manage Covid-19, which are recognized by many countries.
Mrs. Thiwalrat spoke to the Thai workers traveling to Israel. She said that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha had expressed concern to all Thai workers who will travel to Israel. He has requested them to study the law, culture, and customs of Israel, and more importantly, avoid involvement with drugs, vices, and alcohol, which could cause them to lose their job. This is because the laws of Israel dictate severe punishments. In addition, he wishes for the workers to gain experience in returning to develop the country, save money, and return income to their families. The Labour Minister’s Advisor urged the workers to apply for membership of the fund to help job seekers work abroad, whereby members will receive support and assistance when encountering problems abroad following the fund’s rate. She stressed that the Thai workers take the steps required by the authorities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 as well. The Israeli government has notified the need for 2,000 Thai workers to work in the agricultural sector. The Department of Employment has started sending Thai workers to work in the agricultural sector since late September. To date, 858 workers have traveled, and today, there will be 264 more workers traveling at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a special charter flight on airline El Al, flight LY 082, departing from Thailand at 09.20 hours. The flight is scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv at 15.00 hours local time. The Ministry of Labour will continue to prepare workers traveling on December 17 and 24, 2020, for approximately 800 people.
The “Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers” program has an employment period of 2 years, not exceeding five years and three months, depending on the renewal of the employer’s foreign employment permit and the work visa. According to the Israeli state law requirements, workers receive a minimum monthly salary of 5,300 Israeli shekels, or approximately 48,073 Baht (depending on the exchange rate at that time).
Anyone interested in traveling to work in Israel can follow the news at the www.doe.go.th/overseas website, or ask for more details at the Provincial Employment Offices in every province, the Bangkok Employment Office Area 1-10, or the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline, press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations
9 December 2020
