On August 25, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin visited and gave words of encouragement to 142 Thai workers traveling to work in the agricultural sector under the Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers (TIC) project. The occasion took place at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Muang District, Samut Prakan Province. The Ministry of Labour’s Advisor, Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan, the Labour Minister’s Secretariat Mr. Suthep Chitayawong, Pol.Maj.Gen. Nantachat Supamongkol from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, performing duties for the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson (on politics) Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, the Director-General of the Department of Employment Mr. Phairoj Chotikasathian and the Ministry of Labour’s executives also joined the occasion. Mr. Suchart said that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, which supervises the Ministry of Labour, focuses on promoting Thai workers to travel abroad and have a job and bring income into the country, especially amid the COVID-19 situation. It is gratifying that Israeli employers are demanding to hire more Thai workers from the original quota. It still needs 1,000 Thai workers. Today, the Labour Minister traveled to encourage the workers before going to work in the state of Israel and asked them to strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention measures. He asked that the workers be diligent and patient, obey the laws of Israel, and not interfere with drugs, intoxicants, and gambling. He encouraged them to save and learn. After completing the contract, bring the savings and experience gained from working in agriculture to develop the country and fund their occupation.
The Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Phairoj Chotikasathian, said that today, 142 Thai workers are traveling to work in the agricultural sector in Israel. These workers will travel on the El Al Israel Airlines flight LY 088 departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand, at 23:55 hours. They are scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv at 07.00 hours, local time. These workers will be required to self-isolate for 14 days and receive the Pfizer vaccine under Israeli state regulations. Each year, Thailand has a quota to deliver 5,000 people. For this fiscal year, 5,440 people have been deployed, excluding the 142 people traveling today. On August 30, another 200 people will be deployed, which is exceeding the goal. Sending Thai workers to work in Israel follows the agreement between the Thai and Israeli governments under the Thailand-Israel Cooperation on the Placement of Workers (TIC) project. The first employment period is two years, whereby workers can work up to 5 years and three months depending on the employer’s work permit and work visa under the Israeli State law. The Thai workers will receive a minimum salary before tax of 5,300 Israeli shekels, or about 54,590 Baht (depending on the exchange rate at that time). Currently, the Israeli government has the policy to reduce foreign workers’ imports due to the country’s high unemployment rate. Therefore, it is allowed as needed. There are specific types of jobs that foreign workers can do in four industrial sectors, namely the agriculture sector, the restaurant service sector, the elderly/disabled care sector, and the construction sector. There are 25,000 Thai workers in Israel, with Israeli employers still wanting to hire over 1,000 Thai workers from the 2021 quota, partly because Thai workers are skilled and honest and therefore in demand by employers.
“The Department of Employment’s delivery process has a transparent selection process, from recruitment to interviews, and employment contracts. Many relevant agencies review information. Before leaving, all Thai workers will be trained in various areas, including information about the COVID-19 situation in that country, best practices, how to legally leave and re-enter the country, information about an employment contract, contact channels for assistance from Thai government agencies abroad and fund benefits to help job seekers to work abroad. Those interested in traveling to work in the State of Israel can follow the news on the website. www.doe.go.th/overseas and ask for more information about traveling to work abroad at all provincial employment offices, the Bangkok Employment Office Area 1-10, or the Ministry of Labour’s hotline, call 1506 and press 2 for the Department of Employment, or call the Department of Employment’s hotline at1694,” said the Department of Employment’s Director-General.
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Division of Public Relations
25 August 2021
