BKK POST: February 2, 1998: ECONOMY

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

BKK POST: February 2, 1998: ECONOMY

              Firms resent
              repatriation of
              300,000 illegal
              workers 

              They say move will hurt Thai companies


              Onnucha Hutasingh

              While the government's policy to push back 300,000 illegal
              workers to ease unemployment is yet to be put to the test,
              employers have already passed on a judgement - just another
              flop.

              None of the employers questions the merit of the policy which is
              aimed at freeing up jobs for Thais.

              But they do have a doubt about its practicality with some saying
              the measure will end up hurting the country's business sector
              even worse.

              Panithi Tangphati, president of Tak provincial chamber of
              commerce, said the government has failed to assure it will be
              able to find Thais to substitute illegal workers once they are sent
              back.

              "If there are inadequate substitutes, it will be a major setback for
              the operators. Their businesses will be dead due to a labour
              shortage," he said.

              Mr Panithi also said the government is aiming at the wrong target
              - it should have been illegal workers without work permits.

              Those who have received temporary work permits should be
              exempted because they are a major mechanism of the
              businesses, he said.

              Bundit Thanachaisetvuth, a labour expert, also deplores the
              policy, saying the government has come to a dead end.

              "It is a nonsensical solution to the unemployment problem -
              pushing back alien workers so that Thais can replace them. It is
              not based on a single fact why Thais are not interested in those
              kinds of work," he said.

              According to Mr Bundit, a lack of job incentives and social
              welfare benefits, low payment and unfair employment terms are
              the main factors of the absence of Thai labour in fisheries and
              agriculture-related industries.

              The results of a latest survey conducted by Mr Bundit's
              organisation showed that most of 172 jobless respondents want
              more protection and job incentives and other benefits.

              It seems that the survey's results would not appease Trairong
              Suwannakhiri, the minister of Labour and Social Welfare who
              wants Thais to be less selective under the current economic
              situation.

              If everything goes as planned, about 300,000 alien illegal
              workers will be repatriated in six months and 150,000 jobless
              Thais are expected to fill the vacant posts.

              By the end of 1999, one million alien workers will be forced to
              leave as the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry will not renew
              work permits for registered workers.

              In the meantime, those pending deportation will be held at
              holding centres in border provinces where they can seek jobs.

              Business operators in 43 provinces where alien workers are
              allowed to work can hire them in case they cannot find
              substitutes. However, they are required to keep the posts vacant
              for Thais at least 15 days.

              Provincial authorities will consider a request to hire alien workers
              and submit it to the labour minister for final approval.

              About 13 border provinces are designated as special areas
              where alien workers can be hired according to demands. But this
              is just on paper and it is unknown when it can be adopted.

              Agencies concerned are yet to seek an amendment of related
              alien labour laws to set up a national committee to manage illegal
              alien labour. The proposed committee is to be chaired by the
              prime minister or a deputy prime minister.

              Its task is to lay down a national alien labour policy, manage
              labour market and set up hiring terms.

              The private sector will also be encouraged to play a greater part
              in the management of alien labour. 

              However, the establishment of such a committee is again yet to
              be put into action. It is also a test whether the government has
              taken a right track in easing labour problems.

              Previous records of rising illegal workers in Thailand in the last
              six years have shown the government has been fighting against
              the influx in vain.

              In 1992, there were 100,000 illegal migrants who were allowed
              to work while they were pending deportation. In 1996, there
              were about 700,000 illegal alien workers, but only 290,000 of
              them reported to authorities.

              As of December last year, there were about 900,000 illegal alien
              workers.




                                     




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