On February 13, 2020, at 13.30 hours, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul provided grants from the Department of Employment’s fund to help job seekers work overseas, in the amount of 483,900 Baht to Thai fishermen who are members of the fund and encountered problems in Somalia. Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol and the Ministry of Labour’s executives also joined the occasion at the Prasong Rananant Meeting Room, 5th Floor, Ministry of Labour.
Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul said that the government supports Thai workers working abroad, ensuring legality and full coverage, looked after before traveling while working and returning from work abroad. When workers have traveled to work abroad, the government continues to provide care and support. If workers experience problems abroad, there are Overseas Labour Offices based in 12 countries, or the Royal Thai Embassy abroad will also represent the government in looking after Thai workers overseas. In the case of a Thai fishing crew that experienced problems in the middle of the ocean on the coast of Bosa, Somalia, they did not receive wages, experienced food shortages and lacked clean drinking water. The Thai crew members did not receive care following their employment contracts, totaling 38 crew members on 2 fishing boats. The incident happened in April 2019. Investigations found that were 13 Thai fishermen as members of the fund to assist job seekers to work abroad. Today, the fund has been given to 11 Thai workers working on sea fishing vessels in Somalia, including 1. 4 crew members from the first shipping vessel that returned to Thailand on August 12, 2019. The workers received an allowance of 53,580 Baht per person for food while they faced the issue, from April to August 11, 2019, for a total of 4 months and 11 days. The workers also received travel expenses to return to Thailand. From this amount, the workers must repay the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the amount of 30,000 Baht per person to cover the expenses that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advanced as the fishermen awaited return to Thailand. 2. 7 crew members from the second shipping vessel that returned to Thailand on August 30, 2019. The workers received an allowance of 27,000 Baht per person for food while they faced the issue, from April to August 30, 2019, for a total of 5 months. Expenses for traveling back to Thailand were covered by the employer of the second vessel. The total amount was 483,900 Baht. The unpaid wages are following the legal process. The other 2 crew members have not filed a complaint as both are still working overseas. The Department of Employment will follow up for the workers to receive funds in the future.
M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul further requested that those wishing to travel to work overseas, be aware of the importance of being a member of the fund, especially traveling to work by means of self-travel notification, as the law requires membership of the fund voluntarily, in order to receive benefits or support when experiencing problems or harm, as required by law. However, before going to work in a foreign country, workers should study the information before traveling by inquiring with the Department of Employment and provincial Employment Offices to prevent fraud or call the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline and press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations
