Thailand steps up crackdown on illegal foreign workers

By VNA October 8, 2024 | 04:03 pm PT

A street food stall in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Reuters

Authorities of Thailand are ramping up the crackdown on foreigners illegally working in the country, with a campaign launched by the Ministry of Labor to inspect workplaces employing migrant workers nationwide.

Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said from June 5 to Oct. 2, officials inspected 20,152 outlets employing 277,770 migrant workers, finding 844 workplaces employing illegal immigrant workers and arresting 2,063 individuals from some Southeast Asian countries and other nationalities.

The Thai economy depends on the labor sector to drive it, he said, noting priority is given to striking a balance between recruiting Thai nationals and overseeing foreign workers to meet the demands of businesses and help them maximize efficiency in fields such as manufacturing, agriculture, and industry.

Director-General of the Department of Employment Somchai Morakotsriwan said the department will increase its focus on investigating groups of foreign workers who take jobs reserved for Thai nationals, such as travel agents, tour guides, masseurs, or barbers.

He added that foreign workers coming to Thailand must have proper identification documents and work permits, and work according to the rights specified in the Ministry of Labor's announcements.