On December 19, 2022, the Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, reported that the government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and the Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongwan, who oversees the Ministry of Labour, gives importance to the management of Cambodian, Laotian, Myanmar and Vietnamese workers, taking into account the national security and the safety of the Thai people. The Samut Prakan Provincial Employment Office organized a project to raise awareness for employers, establishments, foreign workers, and affiliated organizations in Samut Prakan Province for the 2023 fiscal year. Deputy Governor of Samut Prakan Province, Mr. Chaiyapot Charoonphong, chaired the opening speech. Samut Prakan Provincial Employment Officer, Mr. Sithichai Wareechananon, reported on the event’s objectives. Head of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Samut Prakan province also attended the meeting at the Nga Muang Conference Room. Rim Khob Fah Camp, Ancient City, Bang Pu Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Prakan Province.
Samut Prakan Provincial Employment Officer, Mr. Sithichai Wareechananon, said that today’s meeting aims to raise awareness among employers/business establishments, representatives of associations, professional associations, private organizations, and community leaders, to have knowledge and understanding of the procedures for obtaining work permits, penalties under the Foreigners’ Working Management. Emergency Decree, B.E. 2560, the 2nd Amendment, B.E. 2561, and related regulations. It aims to build cooperation and support for implementing a zone free of illegal foreign worker employment. In addition, on July 5, 2022, the Cabinet approved the work management guidelines for Cambodian, Laotian, Myanmar, and Vietnamese workers to support the country’s rehabilitation after the relaxation of COVID-19 control measures. Target groups include foreigners who can temporarily stay in the Kingdom (visa) and can work until February 13, 2023. If they wish to continue working in the Kingdom until February 13, 2025, they must apply for a work permit renewal, provide documents and evidence to the registrar no more than 120 days before the work permit expires, and pay the fee. Applying for a renewal of such a work permit must be done through electronic channels only.
Data as of November 2022 on foreign workers applying for work permits in Samut Prakan Province showed that 256,361 foreigners and 18,200 employers/establishments hired foreign workers. For target groups that must be implemented according to the Cabinet resolution on July 5, 2022, there are 179,484 people.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary of Labour’s Public Relations Division also participated in organizing road shows to educate employers/business establishments, representatives of associations, professional associations, private organizations, community leaders, and participants, totaling 600 people, to recognize and give importance to the employment of foreign workers. The legal employment of foreign workers will help resolve labour shortages, labour security issues, the economy, and the country’s society. Legal employment of foreign workers will allow foreign workers to be protected by the law, help build a good reputation for the country, and prevent various forms of forced labour, including human trafficking and the use of illegal labour.
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Division of Public Relations
19 December 2022
