CNI News
27 June 2023
More checks and arrests of foreigner migrant workers working as vendors or running a small shops have currently increased, said those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News. It is intended not to be a shortage of jobs for Thai citizens. Working as vendors or running a small shops has been forbidden to foreigner migrant workers.
Legal migrant workers work as vendors or run small shops more than illegal ones, said Ko Thar Gyi, one who helps migrant workers, to CNI.
"Most of sellers like that are legal migrant workers. You can do the business of selling goods only if you have a license.
Thai officials inspecting and arresting migrant workers selling durians and fruit juice
if the police come and inspect, they run away from their shops.If you are prosecuted, you will be fined from five thousand to fifty thousand baht. Foreigners are more inspected. Especially Myanmar and Cambodian were arrested, and they were sent back en masse. So many Cambodian people were sent back about two weeks ago" he said.
About one third of those who sell Thai barbeque, cold drinks and fruit at the places such as university campuses and fresh markets are Myanmar nationals. Moreover, rice and curry sold by Myanmar nationals are cheaper than those sold by Thai nationals. So, Myanmar compatriots buy and eat rice and curry sold by Myanmar citizens.
Thai officials inspecting migrant workers making preparations to go out selling
Due to these situations, Thai citizens are facing job shortages and There have been complaints to the Thai authorities, according to those who helping migrant workers.
" When Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and vietnam nationals who have stayed in Thailand for long can speak Thai start doing the jobs restricted such as selling around with the strollers on which fruits or vegetables are loaded and cutting hair. Thai people know that. As soon as they complain,Thai authorities come and inspect. When Thai people are facing job shortages, there have been their complaints." said an official from Labour Right Foundation (LRF) to CNI.
Beacuse basic salary and overtime pay are enough for a legal migrant worker, working in forbidden jobs is not because of financial difficulties, said the people helping migrant workers.
