Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, addressed public concerns regarding health check services for migrant workers provided by certain medical facilities, amid suspicions that some may not yet have been formally authorised. This has raised questions about the validity of medical certificates and potential impacts on both workers and employers. The Labour Minister emphasised that the issue is being taken seriously and has instructed officials to conduct an immediate investigation.
Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, reported that under the Cabinet resolution of September 24, 2024, migrant workers are required to undergo tests for prohibited diseases. These tests can be conducted at any licensed public or private healthcare facility. For private facilities, they must be reviewed by the Department of Employment, have their health check data integrated with the department’s system, and be publicly listed as approved providers. The criteria were jointly established by a working group comprising the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Medical Sciences, the Department of Health Service Support, the Department of Disease Control, and the Department of Employment. The Department of Employment announced the criteria for private healthcare providers on October 28, 2024, as follows: 1) The facility must be licensed to operate as a medical establishment. 2) It must have an in-house medical laboratory accredited by the Ministry of Public Health. 3) It must have X-ray facilities and radiation-generating medical equipment that meet standards and are lawfully registered. 4) It must operate an information security management system that meets the required standards. 5) It must be able to integrate migrant workers’ health check data with the Department of Employment. At present, 75 healthcare facilities meet these requirements.
Employers and businesses can find further details on the Department of Employment’s website at doe.go.th, contact Bangkok Employment Offices 1–10 or provincial employment offices nationwide, or call the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506 (press 2 for the Department of Employment), or the Department of Employment hotline at 1694.
