Migrant workers can stay longer in Thailand due to COVID-19
- Charles Chau
- Topics: Compliance, Home Page - News, News, Thailand
Due to the shortage of labour, the Thai government has allowed legally registered migrant workers to stay longer in the country, according to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.
About 130,000 such migrant workers would benefit from this scheme, but it applies only to those who fall under a labour agreement signed by the respective countries, said the Bangkok Post.
Migrant workers who complete four years of employment in the country by December next year would normally need to return to their home countries before they can re-apply for new work permits.
The scheme will allow them to renew their work permits once the old ones expire, effectively letting them work for a further two more years from December 2021.
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Migrant workers will have to pass health screenings, have their work permits verified, formally get an employment extension with the labour office, pay a 1,900-baht (US$63) fee and re-register their employment record.
The proposed scheme has gotten the nod from authorities in the relevant countries, said Suchart Pornchaiwisetkul, director-general of Department of Employment.
