Thai govt sets deadline for illegal

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Thai govt sets deadline for illegal immigrants 
01:48 a.m. Mar 17, 1998 Eastern 
BANGKOK, March 17 (Reuters) - Thailand has ordered employers to substitute
Thais for illegal immigrants working in the country, a government statement
said on Tuesday. 

The statement, issued by a government-appointed sub-committee, said
employers should cooperate to help solve the unemployment problem plaguing
the country amid the Asian financial crisis. 

``Concerned government officials will start taking legal action against
those hiring illegal foreign workers starting from May 1, 1998,'' said the
statement from the committee, which was set up specifically to look into
unemployment. 

According to the law, employers who hire illegal immigrants could face a
maximum of five years in jail, a fine of up to 50,000 baht ($1,250) or both. 

Illegal workers caught remaining in the country after the May 1 deadline
would also face a maximum three-year jail term, a fine of up to 60,000 baht
or both. 

Those bringing in illegal workers into the country would face a maximum
10-year jail term and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. 

Some 800,000 illegal workers, mostly from Myanmar (Burma), are thought to be
working in Thailand. 

Thailand, hit by its worst economic crisis in decades, has been forced to
get rid of illegal foreign workers who are mostly employed in the
construction, fisheries and agricultural sectors. 

($1 - 40 baht) 

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