Thai workers urged to delay travel to Israel, Lebanon amid rising tensions

Thai workers intending to travel to Israel or Lebanon have been urged to delay their plans due to escalating tensions in the region following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on July 31.

A letter signed by Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, was sent to all provincial governors on August 16, emphasising the importance of this warning. It highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Israel and Lebanon, as assessed by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv and the Office of Labour Affairs in Tehran.

“The situation is tending towards an escalation in violence since the July 31 assassination,” stated the letter, urging provincial governors to convey this message to Thai workers planning to work in Israel or Lebanon.

The warning has been in effect since August 15 and will remain until further notice.

Phumiphat Mueanchan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour (MoL), confirmed yesterday that Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn received the report about the rising tensions in Israel and Lebanon.

“Based on this report, the MoL has resolved to ask all Thai workers who intend to work in Israel or Lebanon to postpone their travel plans until further notice.”

The Ministry of Labour had planned to send 100,000 Thai workers overseas this year as part of labour cooperation programmes with various countries. So far, 77,918 people have travelled abroad, which accounts for 77.92% of the total.

In a related development, Thailand and South Korea have signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to reduce the waiting time for Thai workers between work contracts. Under this MoU, Thai workers going to South Korea under its Employment Permit System will also receive additional benefits if they are affected by a natural disaster, reported Bangkok Post.

“It has been estimated that 8,688 Thai workers have travelled to work in South Korea under this agreement, which is 3,888 more people than last year,” Phumiphat noted.