The Ministry of Labour tightened control measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus among migrant workers. It notifies employers about screening, monitoring, and surveying employees in the PIPO center. The effort was together with the Thai Red Cross, the Department of Public Health, and the provincial health office to provide hygiene education on protection from the COVID-19 virus, to control the spread rate of the pandemic.
On April 27, 2020, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, reported the COVID-19 virus situation, where the spread was found among migrant workers. The Ministry of Labour has therefore implemented strict measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus among migrant workers. The measures include 1) Delaying the approval of importing foreign workers beginning March 23rd until the situation returns to normal 2) Relaxation of foreign workers to stay in the Kingdom and continue to work until November 30, 2020 3) Prevention of the COVID-19 spread among foreign workers, in collaboration with the Thai Red Cross and the Ministry of Public Health in providing knowledge and understanding how to prevent the virus. The pilot will be in Samut Sakhon and will expand to other provinces. The efforts will promote foreign workers working in Thailand to protect themselves from COVID – 19. The operation consists of making documents published in the language of foreign workers so that it can be communicated effectively, as well as creating understanding about mitigation measures and giving relief items, such as masks, hand sanitizers, and survival kits, for example. This also includes the process of receiving medical examinations for those with a history of traveling to high-risk countries, as well as the 14-day self-quarantine following the procedures set by the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen participation and awareness across all sectors. 4) Checklist of foreign workers in the workplace to work for those without the Covid-19 virus infection as measured by the Department of Disease Control. 5) Notifying employers in the workplace about screening foreign workers and monitoring the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. 6) Screening and surveillance of migrant workers at the Port-In Port-Out Center 7) Public relations to raise awareness about the COVID-19 virus in the workplace by requesting cooperation from establishments around the country, including public relations and education for insured persons in workplaces to have knowledge about COVID-19 and to comply with the recommendations of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. 9) Adjustment of unemployment benefit and 10) Reduction of the contribution rate and extension of the time frame for submitting the employer and insured person contributions.
Mr. Suthi further said that if foreign workers have questions about various measures related to the Ministry of Labour, the Department of Employment has a hotline which is 1506, press 2. The hotline has interpreters available to answer questions in the same language as the foreign workers. This channel will enable access to information conveniently, quickly, and thoroughly and is a way of creating understanding and protecting foreign workers to receive labour welfare, as well as respect the principles of human rights as well.
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Division of Public Relations
