Thai workers are expected going in droves to South Korea which is welcoming back international workers without pen requirements.
The Labour Ministry has negotiated a brand new opening for the Thai labour market right now there and is urging all those interested in jobs within the industrial sector in order to sharpen their skills and prepare for medical tests.
Southern Korea’s shipbuilders are looking to hire more qualified labour to meet the shortfall, and their government has increased the particular quota for migrant workers by 20% with Thai employees being one of their particular main target groupings.
Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin says there are more job opportunities just for Thai workers in South Korea following his visit final month in which this individual discussed the issue along with Minister of Employment and Labour Shelter Jeong-Sik.
Raised during the talks were ways to raise employment opportunities for Thai workers including increasing the age bracket. Currently those employed with the Employment Permit System (EPS) must be among 18 and 39.
A Seasonal Worker System (SWP) in the farming sector was also raised during the meeting, he said, adding that a memorandum of understanding is expected to become signed soon.
According to the minister, the SWP is certainly implemented by Southern Korea’s local government authorities to alleviate labour shortages in the farming plus fishing sectors. The particular harvest season continues from March to October.
The Korean aspect has proposed the particular ministry collect 70, 000 baht through each worker as being a guarantee that labourers will honour their particular short-term contracts. However , the practice is just not allowed under Thai labour law plus measures will be figured out to help Thai workers secure jobs.
“For the South Korean marketplace, it is clear you will find more job opportunities in the shipbuilding industry. There is high demand regarding welders, electricians and painters, estimated about 10, 000 tasks per year, ” mentioned the minister.
Fake job offers
Amid the opportunities, problems remain among Thai authorities: job con artists have sprung into action and are preying on unsuspected job hunters using social media systems.
Mister Suchart said the Labour Ministry is definitely working closely using the Royal Thai Police’s Anti Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) in taking lawful action against people that dupe others straight into paying recruitment charges for non-existent job opportunities.
Pairoj Chotikasathien, director-general of the Department of Employment, said fake work offers are rampant and many advertisements by recruitment firms might be in violation of the employment and defense law.
Recruiting people just for jobs overseas with out permission is liable to a penalty of three to 10 years within prison and/or a fine between 60, 000 and 200, 1000 baht. Job ad placements without permission are also liable to an optimum prison term associated with three years and/or a maximum fine of 60, 000 baht.
An overall total of 101 individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with unlawful job placement techniques which snared 136 victims and triggered financial damage approximated at 11. five million baht, he or she said.
However , many Thais are believed to consider a shortcut: disguising them selves as tourists to enter the country plus working there unlawfully.
Based on figures provided by the South Korean charge in Thailand, as of December last year a total of 18, 221 Thai nationals had been legally employed while the number of illegal workers known as phi noi or “little ghost” was estimated to become at about 140, 000.
Worth the risk
Mongkol Phairoh, a core member of the network supporting Thai workers overseas, said the particular labour market abroad especially in South Korea is bursting with activity now the Covid-19 pandemic is easing.
Nevertheless , while many have enrolled in language schools to secure jobs via the EPS, others, particularly individuals aged 18-24, have decided to become “little ghosts” because they do not want to be on a waiting checklist, he said.
A language proficiency test is among the requirements for Thai workers seeking employment in South Korea, and despite transferring the exam a lot of have to wait two years to get employment contracts.
“They will lose 30, 500 baht if they are turned down entry. But they believe it is worth it if they are allowed to enter. They’re prepared to take the risk due to the fact pay is high, ” he mentioned.
Based on information from unlawful Thai workers in auto spare parts factories and food vending, business operators are usually paying them greater than legal workers, although the reason is ambiguous, he said.
He stated illegal job agents demand 40, 1000 baht in exchange for their services if the job hunters can enter Southern Korea and those curious are required to pay a good advance of ten, 000 baht.
“Some businesses turn a window blind eye to illegal migrant workers simply because they need labour, ” he said.
However , with all the Korea Electronic Take a trip Authorization (K-ETA) registration in place, “little ghosts” will face a hard time getting through immigration, according to Mr Mongkol.
Screening process little ghosts
Southern Korea is a popular vacation destination among Thais but many find themselves turned down entry as part of stepped-up measures against individuals exploiting tourist visas.
The particular K-ETA system assists screen tourists through countries granted visa exemptions and includes an app visitors must use before entry. Launched within September last year, the device has applied to Thai visitors since April.
Website visitors must submit information at least 24 hours before their flight and get permission to visit just before departure. Even so, they will still face screening by immigration on arrival.
A source at the Royal Thai Police stated 10, 253 Thais have been sent house from South Korea this year. Half were found to be overstaying their visas and the other half were denied entry.
A total of 9, 030 Thais were sent home within 2020 and 3, 664 last year.
In many cases visitors are denied entry when unable to checklist their cities of destination or if they are not carrying enough cash as necessary by immigration.
According to the source, based on the number of plane tickets between Thailand plus South Korea, about 400 Thais visit South Korea on a regular basis.