PUBLISHED: 15 Mar 2024 at 05: 00
According to Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Labour Ministry has urged the South Korean government to grant an asylum to 150, 000 of the country’s improper Thai staff and allow them to continue working.
On Wednesday, Mr. Phiphat said he had a meeting with Lee Jeong-sik, the chancellor of labor, in Seoul to talk about the situation.
He claimed that at least 7, 000 Thais who were working illegally in the country were repatriated next month. With the remaining amount, Thais rank first among all foreigners who are working improperly in South Korea.
According to Mr. Phiphat, the majority of them immigrated lawfully to South Korea and then transitioned to illegitimate employment.
He explained to Mr. Lee that the majority of those laborers have resided in the nation for at least three to four years and have acquired valuable capabilities, including the Vietnamese language.
He requested assistance in obtaining constitutional work permits for them.
Before for permits are granted, Mr. Phiphat suggested that Korean authorities conduct also skill tests before granting such permits.
He acknowledged that such an asylum was unlikely.
The Asian minister officially expressed some concerns and promised to talk with the Justice Ministry and the Immigration Bureau about the situation.
The two gentlemen even discussed bringing in Thai workers on E7, E8, and E9 permits.
Mr. Phiphat claimed that the Asian government applauded the caliber of Thai workers but that it would make improvements in their language to enable them to communicate with their employers.
Sending more workers to operate in Korea’s agriculture and fishing industries was likewise discussed, Mr Phiphat revealed, noting that four memorandums of comprehending ( MoU) were signed.
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department responded to rumors that Japan’s visa-free plan for Thai travelers may soon be canceled due to the rise in illegal workers it, and it was scheduled to expire next time. If Tokyo may extend it, it’s never known.
Next month, Mr. Phiphat did visit Japan to talk about these issues.