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BKK POST: LABOUR / FOREIGN WORKE



April 28, 1998


                                     



                       LABOUR / FOREIGN WORKERS

              Millers want
              regulations eased 

              Aliens described as hardworking and
              not choosy about work

              Penchan Charoensuthipan

              Owners of rice mills have called on the government to ease
              regulations on the employment of foreign workers in their
              factories.

              They made the call a week ahead of the Labour and Social
              Welfare Ministry's schedule to begin crackdowns on illegal
              workers from May 1, which falls on National Labour Day.

              Niphon Wongtra-ngan, chairman of the Thai Rice Mills
              Association, said most rice mills in the country, particularly those
              in the Lower North and Central Plains, have hired alien workers
              to carry rice sacks.

              The crackdowns on illegal workers would badly hit a number of
              rice mills, said Mr Niphon, and he urged the government and
              labour ministry to relax regulations on the employment of aliens in
              their establishments.

              "Unless the regulations are eased, many rice mills may have to be
              closed. Most of our workers are aliens who are hardworking
              and not choosy about work. Our business may be greatly
              affected if the crackdown is launched," said the association
              chairman.

              The ministry has announced plans to deport an estimated
              300,000 illegal workers over the next five months as part of a
              broader plan to repatriate about a million illegal workers, mostly
              Khmers and Burmese, to free up jobs for Thais.

              Mr Niphon yesterday led a group of 50 rice mill operators to
              lodge a complaint with Labour and Social Welfare Minister
              Trairong Suwannakhiri at the ministry.

              As the minister was engaged in an official function, the complaint
              was received by Deputy Labour Minister Jongchai Thientham.

              Mr Jongchai promised to raise the issue in today's cabinet
              meeting.

              Regulations on the employment of alien workers could be
              relaxed in some provinces bordering Cambodia, Laos and
              Burma, Mr Jongchai said.

              However, the final decision on the issue rested with the cabinet,
              added the deputy minister.




                                     




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Last Modified: Tue, Apr 28, 1998