Thailand answering 500,000 migrant labour shortage

Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy.

The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses.

Chamber of Commerce vice chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, made known the demand for workers is surging now almost all coronavirus-related travel and business restrictions to accelerate economic recovery have been lifted by the government.

“Labour is considered a key machine in propelling Thailand’s entire economy from the export-orientated industries, manufacturing, processing and construction to tourism and service-related sectors.

“This is regarded as a serious problem as Thailand desperately needs foreign workers to help rehabilitate the economy battered by the Covid-19 outbreaks. We now have a lot of key infrastructure projects in the construction pipeline and we also have many tourism and service-related jobs that need to be filled after the government announced it would fully reopen the country to international tourists.”

The Department of Employment director-general, Pairoj Chotikasathien, backed his colleague, saying more foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar are returning to work in Thailand now Covid restrictions have been lifted.

Continuing civil strife in Myanmar, as well as virus outbreaks, have not helped the labour shortage situation in Thailand but Pairoj expects about 100,000 to come from Myanmar by the end of this year.

“As far as the responsible authorities have discussed this with Thai business operators, Thai businesses demand the import of around 277,000 foreign workers, but only about 20,000 have arrived so far.

“Under normal circumstances, Thailand’s economy demands around three million foreign workers, but at present, there are about 2.5 million documented migrant workers in the country.”

The cabinet last week approved labour management plans including allowing documented workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to stay until February 13, 2025.

“Thailand will also allow illegal workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to be registered and work until February 2025.

“With the improved labour plans and arrival of more workers, Thailand may see nearly 3 million migrant workers by the end of the year.”

SOURCE: Bangkok Post Taipei Times