January 6, 1998 BKK POST:LABOUR:Ill

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

January 6, 1998
LABOUR 
Illegal aliens could free 3,000 jobs 
Employers to face tougher penalties 



              Acrackdown on illegal foreign labour aims to drive at least 
              30,000 aliens back to their homelands each year to ease rising 
              unemployment among Thais.

              The Labour and Social Welfare Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri 
              said yesterday that new measures would be introduced to 
              severely punish those hiring such workers.

              Mr Trairong said work permits would not be extended after 
              expiry. The aim was to push all foreign workers home. 

              He said those employing foreigners illegally would face six 
              months to three years in prison and/or a fine.

              "We will announce in advance when a crackdown will be made 
              so that Thais can be hired instead," he said.

              The ministry, the interior ministry, the National Security Council, 
              and the Police Department will work out how to crackdown on 
              illegal workers, he added.

              Mr Trairong said he had already asked for help from Foreign 
              Affairs Minister Surin Pitsuwan in repatriating foreign workers, 
              most of whom were Burmese.

              Proposals will be submitted to the government's panel on jobs 
              for consideration on January 19.

              The ministry says more than 800,000 immigrants work illegally in 
              Thailand. A total of 265,485 aliens have also been allowed to 
              work in 43 provinces, for not more than two years, under the 
              government's registration programme in 1996.









                                       







            © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1997
                            Contact the Bangkok Post
                           Web Comments: Webmaster 

                              Last Modified: Tue, Jan 6, 1998

                                   January 6, 1998



                                       







                                 LABOUR 


              Illegal aliens could 
              free 30,000 jobs 

                Employers to face tougher penalties 



              Acrackdown on illegal foreign labour aims to drive at least 
              30,000 aliens back to their homelands each year to ease rising 
              unemployment among Thais.

              The Labour and Social Welfare Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri 
              said yesterday that new measures would be introduced to 
              severely punish those hiring such workers.

              Mr Trairong said work permits would not be extended after 
              expiry. The aim was to push all foreign workers home. 

              He said those employing foreigners illegally would face six 
              months to three years in prison and/or a fine.

              "We will announce in advance when a crackdown will be made 
              so that Thais can be hired instead," he said.

              The ministry, the interior ministry, the National Security Council, 
              and the Police Department will work out how to crackdown on 
              illegal workers, he added.

              Mr Trairong said he had already asked for help from Foreign 
              Affairs Minister Surin Pitsuwan in repatriating foreign workers, 
              most of whom were Burmese.

              Proposals will be submitted to the government's panel on jobs 
              for consideration on January 19.

              The ministry says more than 800,000 immigrants work illegally in 
              Thailand. A total of 265,485 aliens have also been allowed to 
              work in 43 provinces, for not more than two years, under the 
              government's registration programme in 1996.









                                       







            © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1997
                            Contact the Bangkok Post
                           Web Comments: Webmaster 

                              Last Modified: Tue, Jan 6, 1998