Government promises to take action against unauthorized immigrants
Thailand's Labour Ministry is taking steps to address the issue of illegal migrant workers in the country. As of July, there are 4,071,617 legally registered migrant workers in Thailand, including 197,461 skilled workers, 99,437 ethnic minorities, 42,274 cross-border or seasonal workers, and 687,405 MoU-based workers. However, another 2.02 million migrants fall under cabinet resolutions from September 24, 2024, and February 4, 2025, with 1.01 million of these already registered.
Employers are encouraged to follow the official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) system to bring in migrant workers legally. The Labour Ministry aims to stamp out the problem of illegal migrant workers, not only to curb job competition with Thai workers but also to eliminate unlicensed employment.
Migrant workers found working without permits or outside their authorized scope face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht, as well as deportation. Employers who hire illegal workers are liable for fines of 10,000 to 100,000 baht per worker. Repeat offenders may face prison terms of up to one year, higher fines, or both, and a three-year ban on employing migrant workers.
The Labour Minister, Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, urges employers and business owners not to hire undocumented workers. He stated that the campaign is aimed at regulating migrant workers and tackling illegal employment. The Labour Ministry's priority is to balance the country's economic need for migrant labour with strict enforcement of employment laws, in order to protect Thai workers and ensure fair competition.
The public is urged to report suspected cases of illegal migrant labor to the ministry's hotline (1506). The Labour Ministry has initiated a crackdown on illegal migrant workers, with the campaign's objective being to ensure a fair and legal workforce in Thailand. The Labour Minister, Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, emphasized that the campaign is an urgent priority for the Labour Ministry.
However, it is worth noting that there are no available search results or information indicating that the Thai cabinet enacted any laws or guidelines between September 24, 2024, and February 4, 2025, specifically regulating the admission and registration of illegal migrant workers in Thailand. This raises questions about the legal basis for the current crackdown and the status of the remaining 1.848,712 cases, primarily 1.82 million Myanmar nationals, that are still being processed.
In conclusion, the Labour Ministry's crackdown on illegal migrant workers is an important step towards ensuring fair competition and protecting Thai workers. However, it is crucial that the ministry provides clear and transparent information about the legal basis for this campaign and the status of the remaining cases being processed.
