Thailand’s Migrant Nationality Verification Scheme to help regularize migrant workers for better protection of their rights
In response to media queries concerning the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on migrant workers in Thailand released on 23 February 2010, Ms. Vimon Kidchob, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, stressed that Thailand fully supports and insists on safe, regular and legal migration and has pursued all efforts to register and legalize illegal migrants currently in the country.
Regarding the nationality verification process, registered migrant workers from Thailand’s neighbouring countries are urged to join the process by 28 February. The process “is intended to encourage migrant workers from neighbouring countries to go through the registration process in order to regularize them”, the spokesperson said, adding that “the legal status should enable them to have greater access to better protection and facilitate their orderly returns upon completion or termination of their contracts”.
Since 2008, Thailand has implemented the Employment of Foreign Workers Act B.E. 2551 (2008). Under this law, a migrant worker, after having applied for a work permit, will be entitled to basic rights such as access to adequate remuneration and health care. Also, generally, migrant workers who are lawfully registered to work in Thailand are entitled to the same rights as Thai workers in accordance with the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
The spokesperson also allayed the concern about possible deportation of those who may fail to apply for the nationality verification process, saying that it is premature to speculate on what specific actions would be taken as the agencies concerned will have to assess the situation after the 28 February deadline, and that the Royal Thai Government is well aware that it needs to take into account both the enforcement of the immigration law and the respect for human rights.
Asked to comment on concerns about abuses and crimes committed against migrant workers, the foreign ministry spokesperson affirmed that under the Thai justice system, migrant workers are legally protected. “Migrant workers have increasingly been able to access the court system, as may be evidenced in the number of lawsuits, and cases of violence against them have been tried, with clear verdicts being passed and punishment carried out, with wrongdoers including officials sentenced to imprisonment.” A number of agencies, both government and civil society, are involved at various levels in combating abuses of migrant workers, especially in cases of human trafficking, while there has been assistance from various organizations in providing information to migrant workers with regard to rights protection, she added.
The spokesperson also noted that prior to the launch of the said report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent preliminary information addressing a number of issues raised by HRW, although limited time was available to supply such information.
“Among others, we responded to Human Rights Watch’s questions regarding the migrant registration and nationality verification, alleged abuses against migrant workers as well as the issue of provincial decrees. We hope that the information would serve as additional inputs for HRW and help clarify the Royal Thai Government’s policy on these matters,” she said.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th