CNI News
3 July 2024
Thailand started the 120 Day Plan that will arrest undocumented foreigner migrant workers in June and within 24 days of the plan, over 60,000 illegal Myanmar migrant people were arrested, stated the Thai Ministry of Labor.
When illegal workers were checked across Thailand from 5th to 28th June, nearly 80,000 were arrested. Those arrested are 58,868 Myanmar people, 11,913 Cambodians, 5,571 Laotians, 22 Vietnamese people and 2,424 other foreigner workers reportedly.
The four month long plan came after the Thai government approved to issue the Thai Pink ID cards to undocumented migrant workers in June. Arresting like that might be related to online gambling, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.
"In my opinion, the arrests seem to be related to their national security and online gambling. Myanmar citizens are not involved in gambling and frauds. But taking advantage of our ignorant Myanmar citizen workers, their documents and bank accounts were abused. These things may be related to the arrests." he said.
While authorities concerned have arrested those who entered illegally
If migrant workers with incomplete documents were checked and found, the four month long plan that would arrest, fine and send back to their native countries had been officially announced by the Thai authorities.
Among about 80,000 illegal migrant workers who were arrested, 352 Myanmar workers, 75 Laotian workers, 53 Cambodian workers, five Vietnamese workers and 49 other citizens had been taken action against already, announced the Thai Ministry of Labor.
The Thai authorities sought and arrested at 203 places including shops, factories, workshops and restaurants reportedly.
While authorities are checking a workplace
"In my opinion, the news came out in a threatening manner to make all undocumented workers take Thai Pink ID cards. Brokers in Thailand were waiting for that. It's difficulty to get jobs. Jobs are scarce. There are a lot of liars. Many people were cheated. Jobs are very scarce for those who are undocumented. Even some MoU workers were cheated by their agents." said Ko Moe Lay who lives in Mae Sot to CNI News.
If an undocumented worker who is not allowed to work or a worker who works in a type of work that he does not have the right to work is found, he will be fined from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai Baht and will be sent back to his country as well as will be banned to work in Thailand for two years.
If an employers who hires a worker who is not allowed to work is found, the employer will be fined from 10,000 to 100,000 Thai Baht for a worker. If the employer committed the offence again, he will be imprisoned one year at most and be banned to hire foreign migrant workers for three years reportedly.
