Reuters-Thailand gives alien worker

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Subject: Reuters-Thailand gives alien workers temporary reprieve 

Thailand gives alien workers temporary reprieve
05:44 a.m. Jul 27, 1999 Eastern
BANGKOK, July 27 (Reuters) - Thailand gave 91,000 illegal workers, mainly
from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, a three-month reprieve on Tuesday from
deportation.

The workers were set to be deported on August 4.

Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Wut Sukosol, told Reuters they would be
allowed to continue working in Thailand for another three months.

``However, we plan to evaluate the situation again. If they (workers) do not
create any problems for us or if their Thai employers still need them, then
we may allow them to work further here,'' he said.

Most alien workers are paid less than Thais and they are prepared to work in
jobs unpopular with Thais, mainly the agriculture, fishing and construction
sectors.

The 91,000 workers are registered with Thai authorities.

There are a further 540,000 illegal foreign workers whom the authorities
have vowed to deport if they are caught. These workers are also from the
same countries.

``For those workers who did not register, it will be the police's
responsibility to send them back home as soon as possible,'' Wut said.

He noted that the country still needed foreign workers to fill some jobs. A
proposal on this would be sent to the National Committee on Employment
chaired by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.