Government to intensify efforts for migrants' resettlement
The Thai government is exploring unconventional options to address immediate labour gaps, with plans to mobilize domestic workers such as conscripts, inmates with good conduct, juveniles in correctional facilities, among others. This move comes as the Thai Chamber of Commerce supports the government's labour import plan, citing concerns over labour shortages threatening agriculture, manufacturing, services, and overall employment.
The government's plan to bring in labour from other countries, including Sri Lanka, has already received cabinet approval. Last week, the cabinet approved a pilot scheme to bring in 10,000 Sri Lankan workers under a two-year contract, with an option for extension by another two years, to offset the loss of Cambodian workers who have returned home.
However, Prof Pongtep Suntikul of Thammasat University has expressed concerns that Sri Lankans may not meet Thailand's labour demand profile. Sri Lankans are more skilled in hospitality, hotels, and personal care sectors, while Cambodians generally fill semi-skilled and low-skilled jobs in construction, agriculture, fisheries, and services. Prof Suntikul warned of risks from over-reliance on Cambodian, Lao, and Myanmar labor, noting recruitment from other nations is difficult.
The Labour Minister, Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, stated that the move is to prevent labour shortages and provide an urgent remedy for businesses. In the short term, Prof Suntikul urged retaining Cambodians already in Thailand, enabling re-entry of those wishing to return, and tightening undocumented migrant registration with the Interior Ministry.
Thailand's strength lies in its comprehensive laws and regulations on migrant labor management, according to Prof Suntikul. He emphasized the importance of respecting human rights under International Labour Organisation conventions, including the 2014 Forced Labour Protocol. Illegal workers already in the country will be registered and formally entered into the system.
In the long term, Prof Suntikul called for investment in technology to reduce dependence on foreign workers. Besides Sri Lanka, Thailand plans to consider importing labor from countries such as Vietnam and potentially others to address its labor shortage, with an extended two-year contract model reportedly under consideration to stabilize workforce supply.
The move to import labour from other countries is not without controversy. Importing Sri Lankans could compete with Thais in certain roles, given their higher costs and different skill sets from Cambodian workers. The main challenge, according to Prof Suntikul, is ensuring these migrant labor management mechanisms are implemented rigorously.
The government is fast-tracking an expanded proposal to the cabinet this week. Prof Suntikul did not express any new information about the government's plan to import 10,000 Sri Lankan workers or the expansion of the proposal to the cabinet. However, it is clear that the Thai government is taking bold steps to address its labour shortage, considering both domestic and international solutions.
