The Labour Minister showed concern for longan farmers in Chanthaburi, urgently seeking measures to import Cambodian workers to collect longan produce in the province and relevant public and private sector organizations. He discussed the issue on the occasion of the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand’s courtesy call and discussion on the issue of importing Cambodian workers to collect longan in Chanthaburi.
On October 2, 2020, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin welcomed Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ouk Sorphorn on a courtesy call to the Labour Minister and discussed the issue of importing Cambodian workers to collect longan in Chanthaburi. The meeting took place at the Prasong Rananant meeting room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. Assistant to the Labour Minister Mr. Surachai Chaitrakulthong, the Ministry of Labour’s Secretary-General Mr. Suthep Chitayavong and Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, and relevant agencies from the public and private sectors such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chanthaburi provincial public health doctors, the Thai-Cambodian Border Trade and Tourism Association and the Longan Farmers Association in Chanthaburi participated in the occasion. The meeting asked the Cambodian representatives to expedite the urgent need for Border Passes for 500 workers for work. It also discussed the revised draft agreement on workers’ employment between the Thai and Cambodian governments to designate short-term employment.
Mr. Suchart continued that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha attaches great importance to driving the country’s economy. Currently, Chanthaburi is facing labour shortages = in harvesting agricultural products, especially longan, which has many harvests to the market. The Ministry of Labour, therefore, discussed with relevant public and private representatives to formulate assistance measures supporting the economy and to help employers and organizations to overcome this difficult situation. Furthermore, the efforts support all workers’ protection, especially in the agricultural sector; this requires cooperation from the Cambodian government to promote and assist with the workforce.
Currently, Chanthaburi needs 34,000 Cambodian workers to collect longan in Chanthaburi. This is divided into 20,000 workers and 14,000 plantation workers. In the first phase, there will be an import of 2,000 – 3,000 foreign workers.
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Division of Public Relations
2 October 2020
