BKK POST: LABOUR: Alien workers is

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April 29, 1998


                                     



                                  LABOUR

              Alien workers
              issue to be
              reviewed

              Concern among rice and rubber
              operators

              Suebpong Unarat

              The government is to rethink its policy to push out all illegal
              immigrant workers from May Day and has assigned an ad hoc
              committee to come up with a resolution within two days.

              Its reluctance followed a request from the Labour and Social
              Welfare Ministry to the cabinet urging flexibility because there
              are jobs that require foreign workers.

              The ministry wants the government to allow illegal foreign
              immigrants to take up employment while awaiting repatriation in
              13 provinces adjoining Burma, Laos and Cambodia and 22
              other coastal provinces where jobs on trawlers are in high
              demand.

              Somchai Sahachairungruang, deputy government spokesman,
              said the cabinet decided to assign an ad hoc committee
              appointed earlier to tackle the problem of illegal immigration to
              study the ministry's proposal.

              The committee's decision can be implemented without having to
              seek cabinet approval again, he said.

              Panja Kesornthong and Suvit Khunkitti, deputy premiers, and
              representatives of the National Security Council were appointed
              to additionally sit in the committee which is chaired by Bhichai
              Rattakul, also a deputy premier.

              The panel will have until May 1 to come up with
              recommendations which will cover details on occupations and
              employment illegal immigrants can take up during the period
              before repatriation.

              The decision came as business operators demanded flexibility in
              the government's policy to repatriate illegal workers.

              Owners of rice mills called on the government to allow them to
              continue hiring foreign workers. They were joined by rubber
              planters, who say they need foreign labour for another year.

              Uthai Sonlaksap, president of the Association of Thai Natural
              Rubber Farmers, said he had received complaints from planters
              in Ranong, Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi and Chumphon claiming
              the ministry's move would badly hit their business.

              Most planters in the five southern provinces have hired Burmese
              to work in their plantations.

              If alien workers are arrested and repatriated to their country,
              these rubber plantations will be left with no workers and the
              rubber business will be greatly affected, said Mr Uthai.

              The planned May 1 crackdown, which falls on National Labour
              Day, has sparked protests from businesses that rely on foreign
              labour.




                                     




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Last Modified: Wed, Apr 29, 1998