CNI News

30 July 2022

As Thailand has planned to employ Myanmar workers to solve labour shortages and issues of illegal workers, measures are being taken to send Myanmar workers to Thailand, labour activists told the CNI.

Thailand currently needs 500,000 foreign workers and plans are underway to employ workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. As Thailand has planned to employ the largest number of Myanmar workers, measures are being taken to send Myanmar workers.

The kingdom will employ foreign workers under the existing MOU system as well as the border pass system and issuing temporary work permits (Baht pink card) to illegal workers, U Min Oo, a labour activist from FED.

U Min Oo said, “It is true that they have approved the plan but they haven’t issued a statement about it. They haven’t announced the date to implement the plan. They said they would give priority to the MOU system and then would allow people from ten border provinces to apply for border passes under section 64 to work in Thailand. However, it will be difficult for them to employ 500,000 foreign workers. Even now we have been able to send only tens of thousands of Myanmar workers. I think they will have to issue official permits to illegal workers.”

A Baht pink card. (KIC)

Thai authorities rarely issue Baht pink cards but illegal workers should try to receive those cards, which guarantee full labour rights, Executive Director U Htoo Chit told the CNI.

U Htoo Chit said, “Situations are different from one province to another. Migrant workers can earn a basic salary of Baht 320 to 340. It also depends on skills and types of job. Most importantly, they can enjoy the benefits of social security funds. They will be able to change jobs if they do not like their current jobs. They will be able to enjoy full labour rights. Pink card holders can enjoy the same rights as MOU workers.”

Thailand has planned to employ more than one million foreign workers by 13 February 2025 and pink card holders, who are required to renew their cards once a year,  are also included under the scheme.