The Labour Minister showed concern about a worker who passed away in Japan. The worker was deceived into working and was not paid. The Labour Minister ordered diplomatic personnel to investigate the case and coordinate for assistance throughout the processes and emphasized that legal workers will be protected.
On November 4, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul spoke about the case from online media, on a Thai worker who died in Japan. The worker was deceived into work and did not receive contractual wages. The conditions were stressful, and the worker suffered from suffocation and coughing, which caused them to pass away in their room. The Labour Minister ordered the ambassador’s adviser (labour department) from the labour office in Japan, to investigate and coordinate with relevant agencies to provide assistance in accordance with the processes.
According to the Department of Employment, 52,000 Thai people currently reside in Japan. There are 22,000 Thai workers comprising 5,000 skilled workers, 1,113 technical trainees under the IM Japan Project and 7,887 workers who were recruited through other channels. The remaining 8,000 Thai workers are illegal. In 2019, the Department of Employment aims to send 500 workers for training, whereby a total of 398 have already been deployed. There are 1,113 people currently training in Japan. The training program is a 3-year contract. Once the 3-year contract is completed, those who pass the skills assessments will be eligible to stay for another 2 years, totaling 5 years.
The Labour Minister stressed that the workers wishing to travel to work abroad, do so through the 5 legal channels, including recruitment agencies and the Department of Employment’s arrangements. People who make their own arrangements must report their travel within no less than 15 days before traveling. Other channels are through employers in Thailand who deploy employees abroad and employers in Thailand who send their employees for training
Thai workers who want to inquire for more information about working abroad, or report complaints/grievances, can contact the Provincial Employment Offices, Bangkok Employment Offices or the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Office, Department of Employment before deciding. The Labour Minister emphasized that workers not fall for persuasion without proper information, especially through social media. He urged workers to ensure legality and that they cannot use a tourist visa to work. Furthermore, workers should prepare before going abroad and consider the value of the travel. For more information, please call the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506, press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations
