Myanmar refugees in Thailand can now apply for permits that allow them to work legally, the Ministry of Labour announced on Thursday.
The announcement comes after the cabinet passed a resolution on August 26, permitting refugees to take up employment as part of the government’s effort to address labour shortages across various industries.
Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong said the resolution, effective since Wednesday, aligns with the government’s strategy to meet labour demand while providing refugees the chance to participate in the economy legally.
The measure is expected to benefit 42,601 refugees aged 18-59 residing in nine shelters across Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces.
About 12,000 of these refugees have already expressed interest in working, said Pichet Thongphan, director-general of the Department of Employment.
Pichet added that employers have registered 6,152 job vacancies so far. Industries with the highest demand include construction, electronics manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food and beverage production.
Employers seeking to hire refugees must first register available positions at their local employment office, providing details such as the job role and contract duration. Authorities will then assist employers in selecting suitable candidates from a pool of applicants.
Workers must obtain permission from district authorities before leaving the controlled area. Once outside the camps, they are required to report to authorities in their province of employment within 48 hours.
Employers are responsible for taking the workers to a state medical facility for health checks and registering them for insurance. After completing these steps, employers can submit work permit applications along with the necessary supporting documents.
The initial application fee for the permit is 100 baht, with an annual renewal fee of 900 baht. Workers are allowed to take on any roles not explicitly restricted for foreigners.
Pichet urged employers to follow all procedures carefully to ensure compliance with the law. Guidance and support are available at provincial employment offices nationwide or through the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506.
