The Ministry of Labour invited the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Interior and other relevant units to discuss practices for surveillance on employers/workplaces and migrants in Surat Thani after July 1, 2018, with enforcement laws again illegal migrant workers. This will enhance confidence among tourists in Koh Samui and Koh Tai in Surat Thani, ensuring it is a safe and law-abiding area by employers.
On November 14, 2018, Deputy Labour Minister Gen. Amnat Anartngarm chaired the meeting to discuss practices for surveillance on employers/workplaces and migrants in Surat Thani at the Prof. Nikom Conference Room on the 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. Senior supervisors of the relevant agencies attended the meeting, including Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Jarin Chakkaphark, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration of the Immigration Bureau Gen.l Nuttapol Swaengkij, Deputy Provincial Governor of Surat Thani Mrs. Jamjit Poolsawad, Surat Thani Immigration Commissioner Pol. Col.Wanchana Bhavornbook, representatives of the Department of Provincial Administration Department of Interior and the Department of Employment, the Ministry of Labour for example. Gen. Amnat said that today’s meeting was for relevant departments to discuss practices for surveillance of employers/ workplaces and migrants in Surat Thani after the government’s policy to enforce laws against illegal migrant workers and those involved, after the grace period effective July 1, 2018 and onward. This was to ensure the legality of migrant workers, and government officials to perform duties with honesty, transparency, measurability and accountability. He said that for the exploitation of foreign worker, all sectors must work together to solve the issues of migrant workers and human trafficking, adding that surveillance of employers/workplaces and migrants in Surat Thani would make the province especially Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan a safe place, strengthen the atmosphere of tourism, boost confidence among both Thai and foreign tourists and ensure legality of employment among workers.
The meeting considered the timing of public relations and spreading awareness for employers/workplaces with migrant workers strictly adhere to the law, and inspections, arrest and prosecutions for offenders. In Surat Thani currently has 90,036 migrant workers, 3,142 migrant workers in Koh Tao and 13,770 in Koh Samui. The result of investigations, arrests and prosecution of employers/workplaces and illegal migrant workers in Surat Thani found that out of the 368 employers/workplaces, 7 were found in violations, whereas out of 4,217 migrant workers, 40 were found in violation, consisting of 39 Burmese nationals and 1 Cambodian national.
Nationwide from July 1 – November 13, 2018, 6,998 employers/workplaces were inspected which found 566 in violation, whereas 117,763 migrant workers were checked which found 3,779 in violation. The migrant workers in wrongdoing consisted of 2,617 Burmese nationals which were the highest, followed by 507 Cambodian nationals, 307 Laos nationals 203 Vietnamese nationals and 145 from other nationalities.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
November 14, 2018
