The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is reminding Cambodian workers in Thailand to follow Thai government guidelines and procedures for obtaining legal work visas before the end of April.
Ministry spokesman Katta Orn said yesterday, “The Ministry of Labour has provided information to companies to forward to workers about legal procedures, so they do not need to worry about losing any benefits”.
“It is only a matter of immigration regulations. It does not affect the rights and interests of workers. We call on all workers to remain calm and follow guidelines from the Thai authorities to obtain legal work visas,” he said.
The Thai government warned some workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to exit Thailand before the end of this month or face legal action, saying that the four-year period for their employment had expired.
Orn said workers whose visas have expired after four years must return to their home countries to re-apply.
For workers employed by the same Thai company for an extended time, they may share their data with their employers, who will help extend permits and employment visas for workers.
In the case of workers who change jobs, they must communicate with their new employer to prepare a new employment visa legally in Thailand, he said.
Deputy government spokesman Kharom Polpornklang was quoted by Thai media The Nation on Sunday as saying that some visas for workers from Cambodian, Laos and Myanmar would expire on April 30. So, they must leave the country before expiration or face fines for overstaying.
Kharom was referring to migrant workers hired under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour cooperation with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
The MoU permitting Thai employers to hire migrant workers for four years officially expired on January 1 this year.
Employers can submit applications for re-employment on behalf of those workers who wish to remain in Thailand.
He said doing so would help reduce processing time in the workers’ home nations.
Kharom also said that the Employment Department of the Labour Ministry has shortened the process for rehiring workers, so they can return to work in Thailand sooner. – Khmer Times
