CNI News

27 January , 2024

As the period designated for making evidence documents will expire after February, the arrests of undocumented workers might increase, those who are helping migrant workers in Thailand, told CNI News. Checks and arrests have been conducted across Thailand since 10th January 2024.

Because of the increasing number of people who have sneaked into Thailand and taken refuge recently, arrests are being conducted in Tak District everyday, said Ko THar Gyi, a person who is helping Myanmar migrant workers, told CNI News.

" If you don't renew your temporary labor certificate, you will be arrested and then you must pay a fine and you must be sent back to your courtry. You have held a visa and your visa is still. But the visa will expire on the 13th of February. Thai authorities will check whether you have renewed your visa or not on their computers. They will go and arrest those who haven't renewed their visas according to the addresses described in the work permits. According to the law of visa section, those who haven't renewed will be blacklisted from one to five years. Myanmar migrant workers who haven't renewed their visas will be arrested and must pay a big fine. And then, they will be sent back to Myanmar." he said.

The reason why arrests have increased was because brokers persuaded that temporary labor certificates could be applied through VIP channel although temporary labor certificate application has been closed said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

While seeing a workshop in Thailand

Moreover, when the authorities came and checked other people, they found undocumented workers and arrested. As criminal inspection was being conducted in the Cambodia-Thailand border area, Myanmar people who are working near the area needed to be careful, suggested the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.

He heard that Thai authorities have started asking money in Maesot, U Min Oo, In charge of Labor Affairs from the FED, told CNI News.

While some Thai authorities are inspecting in a workplace  

" Thai officials started asking 10-year residence permit holders money yesterday and the pink card holders were also asked money in Maesot. I haven't heard like that in Ranong. There are not so many problems in Ranong. There are so many people in Maesot. So, we hear the problems from Maesot every so often. We haven't known asking money is legal or illegal." he said.

Although Myanmar migrant workers who have been included in the name list are not arrested, if they did not proceed the permit processes and went beyond the fixed period, they might be arrested, said the people who are helping migrant workers in Thailand.