Cambodian migrants get nod to remain

Cambodian migrants get nod to remain

Cambodia and Myanmar had an agreement with Thailand to allow more than 100,000 migrants with expired employment permits to continue working until the end of next month, the Department of Employment in Thailand said recently.

The migrant workers had four-year work permits and visas but had expired during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Suchat Phonchaiwisetkun, Director-general of the department, said the agreement to let the migrants stay was reached during previous talks between his department and the Cambodian and Myanmar embassies in Thailand.

Under normal circumstances, the migrant workers would return to their home countries between May and December before waiting a full month before they can return to work in Thailand with renewed permits and visas, according to Mr. Suchat.

However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be safer for the workers to remain in the kingdom for the moment, he added.

A memorandum of understanding on labor cooperation between the three countries allowed the workers to carry on working in Thailand. Bangkok Post