Thai businesses hurt by controversial migrant legislation

by Usa Pichai
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 11:26

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Confusion over Nationality Verification legislation for Burmese migrant workers is sewing fear in business owners of a potential shortage in labor.

Jeerasak Sukhonthachart, of Thailand’s Department of Employment, and officials from the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok visited Ratchaburi Province, bordering Burma, on Sunday. A number of employers in the region have filed complaints over the Nationality Verification of Burmese migrant workers, which has impelled workers to return home and businesses to be left shorthanded.

Jeerasak insisted in a meeting with employers and workers that migrant workers in Thailand, prior to the end of February 2010, need to register at local administrative offices and have to pass Nationality Verification if they wish to receive a visa to work in Thailand.

“There are rumors that family members of migrants in Burma will be taxed if workers pass through the process. So, we came together with Burmese officials to insist that it’s not true,” Jeerasak explained.

Nonetheless, confusion in the process has caused a serious problem regarding local businesses in Ratchaburi, which specialize in pig farming and pottery manufacturing.

There are about 14,000 Burmese workers registered to work in Ratchburi, according to provincial employment authorities. But since the government’s order, employers are complaining of some workers returning to Burma - instead of following through with the National Verification process as required.

Additionally, the high cost of the Verification also serves as a catalyst in workers opting to forego the procedure; with some agents are charging workers from 5,800 to 7,500 baht (US$ 176 to 227).

Further, workers who need to register have to cross into Burma to verify their nationality and receive a Burmese passport. After that, they would need to cross to cross back into Thailand to obtain a work visa. However, many of them fear that crossing back into Burma would be unsafe for them and their families.

Burmese officials also attempted to assuage the fears of migrants who fled to Thailand for work in the wake of armed hostilities between the Burmese Army and ethnic rebel forces.

Last month, Phaitoon Kaewthong, Thailand’s Minister of Labor, revealed that so far 2,000 Burmese migrants have gone through the Nationality Verification process, while 700,000 have registered with the Labor Ministry.

The minister added that Nationality Verification for Burmese workers, scheduled to be completed by February 28, 2010, likely would not be completed as per the original timeline. However, authorities are waiting to see how successful the process is before deciding on whether or not to extend the deadline.