Phuket to crack down on illegal workers

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket’s Governor, Pongpayome Vasaputi, has warned that illegal Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian workers – and those who employ them – will be singled out in a crackdown starting December 1. The proposed crackdown follows a cabinet meeting on August 29 at which a limit was set of 5,308 work permits for Laotian, Burmese and Cambodian workers in Phuket. These workers may be legally employed only in fishing and fishing-related businesses, construction and rubber plantation work. Employers of illegal laborers, as well as those who shelter or otherwise help those working without work permits, risk a jail term of up to five years or a fine of up to 50,000 baht, or both. At a meeting on Monday, the Governor described illegal immigrant workers as one of the main problems facing Phuket province. “There are only four industries that are allowed to hire these workers. Anyone found working in an unauthorized industry, as well as those who hired them, will be arrested,” said Governor Pongpayome. Immigrants caught in the raids will be expelled from Phuket.