The Ministry of Labour deployed the employment team, together with the Governor of Udon Thani to encourage families or Thai workers who have been in contact to return to Thailand, due to issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
On July 29, 2020, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat as the Ministry of Labour’s spokesperson revealed that the Ministry of Labour received a report from Udon Thani Employment Officer Mr. Mongkol Songkla that it had made a visit, together with Udon Thani Provincial Governor Mr. Nirat Pongsitthaworn and relevant officers, to No. 94, Moo 17, Nongmek Village, Nongmek, Nong Han, Udon Thani. The visit aimed to give encouragement to Thai workers’ families. Mr. Boonsong Seithong, 70, the father of Mr. Sarawut Seithong, 32, is a Thai worker that requested to repatriate to Thailand due to issues of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The visiting party gave morale to the family of Thai workers who closely monitor the situation and are prepared to give advice about the various benefits that workers will receive.
Mr. Boonsong Seithong stated that he understands the situation that Thai workers experience well, since he has worked in a foreign country before. “The government has been working together with relevant agencies to help Thai workers return home safely. At this time, we ask that everyone takes care of their health, especially to prevent infection from the Covid-19 virus,” said the Udon Thani Provincial Governor. The Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment has coordinated with employers responsible for the well-being and compliance with the employment contract. In the initial phase, the Thai workers will receive a grant from the fund to help people find work abroad, especially Thai workers working abroad in countries experiencing the spread of Covid-19 in the working country. Fund members affected and experiencing problems from the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in the request to repatriate before the end of the employment contract will receive relief of 15,000 Baht.
For fund members who have encountered problems abroad, such as employers announcing the closure of business due to measures in each country to prevent the spread of the virus, or where the employer has ordered a suspension of work and is waiting to return to work again which is not the fault of the fund’s members, causing suffering to lack of income, the overseas labour office will be responsible and consider providing assistance to fund members that have requested support. The foreign labour offices will investigate the facts. If fund members do not receive help from their employer, the foreign labour office will consider providing actual and appropriate assistance according to Article 5 (2)(Ngor) as in actual expenses, not exceeding 30,000 Baht per person.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour has therefore emphasized to all Thai workers and Thai workers who are traveling to work abroad, to ensure that they work legally and apply for a fund to support job seekers abroad. The fund will ensure that they receive benefits and protection in the event of danger, death, disability, or experiencing problems in a foreign country. As is the case with Thai workers who experienced the pandemic in Uzbekistan. She also emphasized to be aware of the importance of being a fund member, especially when traveling to work by means of self-travel notification as the law stipulates that being a member of the fund is voluntary.
However, before deciding to work abroad, the worker should study the information before traveling. They can inquire for information from employment offices in every province, the Bangkok Employment Office Area 1-10, and the Division of Thai Overseas Labour Administration to prevent being deceived by fraud, or call the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline, press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations
29 July 2020
