Nearly 1,200 detained in migrant worker crackdowns

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In: South-East Asia

However, 99 % of the time during a two-month assessment campaign at thousands of offices were found to be in compliance.

PUBLISHED: 3 Aug 2024 at 17: 36

Immigration officers check the documents of 160 migrant workers, 26 of whom were found in breach of immigration laws, at a construction camp in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri on July 25. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
On July 25, immigration officials in a building station in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung city checked the records of 160 migrant workers after 26 of whom were found to be violating immigration regulations. ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong )

According to the Department of Employment, 1, 179 workers have been in custody since the Department of Employment’s confinement in the last two weeks due to numerous reprisals against illegal migrant employees and their employers.

Less than 1 % of the 162, 130 staff whose records were inspected at 12, 983 workplaces nationwide between June 5 and Thursday were screened for the files. Breaches were found at 438 offices, or 3.3 % of the entire checked.

Migrants caught working in Thailand without a permit or doing jobs they are n’t allowed to do are subject to fines of between 5, 000 and 50, 000 baht, deportation and a two-year ban from applying for permission to work in the country, said Somchai Morakotsriwan, the director-general of the department.

Businesses who hire illegal migrant workers or force them to perform tasks that they are not permitted to do are fined between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per improper employee, he said.

Follow offences carry more fines of up to a year in prison, a fine of between 50, 000 and 200, 000 ringgit per worker, and a three-year restrictions on hiring new migrant employees.

Of the 1, 179 immigrant workers detained by a government from various companies, 724 were Myanmar citizens, 190 Thai, 162 Chinese, 22 Vietnam and 81 from other countries, said Mr Somchai.