Thailand to ask Israel for higher labour quota

Thailand to ask Israel for higher labour quota
Seventeen Thai employees freed after being held captive in Gaza by Hamas arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on El Al Airways flight LY081 on May 30, 2023. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )

Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn plans to ask Israel to increase its limit for Thai personnel during his four-day official visit to the Middle Eastern nation.

Mr Phiphat is scheduled to visit Israel from May 26 to 29 at the proposal of the Jewish state. He and other top authorities at the government did meet Israel’s workers, crops and interior officials to negotiate for an increase in the number of Thai personnel allowed into Israel.

Mr. Phiphat said businesses in Israel’s design business want to attract more than 20,000 migrant workers while more labourers are also needed in the agricultural industry. The sessions will concentrate on increasing employment opportunties for Thais, ensuring they receive appropriate wages and llower go costs.  

The minister may even meet with and listen to Thai staff talk about their living and working conditions.  

“Thai immigrants must be only employed in protected places or green places confirmed by Israeli authorities and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, ” the labour minister said, adding the foreign ministry is coordinating with other countries such as Malaysia, Egypt and Qatar to secure the instant transfer and safe transfer of the six Thai nationals still held in Hamas prison in Gaza.        

The Department of Employment ( DoE ) earlier this month lifted its suspension of sending Thai workers to Israel following a thorough assessment, in consultation with other agencies, of the situation regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict. The department received  assurances from the Israeli embassy that Thai workers will be employed in safe areas only and emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures, are in place should danger arise.

Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ( photo from his Facebook page )