Thai Military Moves to Curb Illegal Migrant Labor as Cambodian Workers Flee

Junta to Impose Tighter Restrictions as More Than 100,000 Cambodian Workers Flee Thailand

Cambodian Workers Flee Thailand

 

EPA

BANGKOK—Thailand's ruling military said it would tighten restrictions on migrant employment to thwart illegal workers, forced labor and human trafficking—while at the same time sought to quell fears of a labor crackdown that have spurred more than 150,000 Cambodians to flee.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the military's governing body, called on Thai employers to register their foreign workers, and threatened to punish officials involved in human trafficking and illegal migration.

Rumors that the military was using force against migrants have already sparked an exodus of Cambodian workers, who play a major role in construction, fishing, agriculture and other labor-intensive Thai sectors.

"We have seen the massive outflow in one week, of about 40,000 people per day," said Joe Lowry, a spokesman for the United Nations' International Organization of Migration. He described the size of the worker exodus as "unprecedented" for the region.

 

Thailand's low unemployment rate of about 1% and aging population have made the country dependent on foreign labor.

The military on Tuesday denied that it has used violence to force foreign workers to leave. "We reiterate—that it is not true and it's merely a rumor," said Col. Winthai Suvaree, a junta spokesman.

The military, which took power last month, has sought to strictly implement rules governing migrant laborers to curb illegal crossing of the borders, arguing that Thailand's large, undocumented workforce is prone to exploitation and is also a source of crime.

Thai authorities said most of the fleeing Cambodians were without work authorization, though some would be able to return to work on farms at the beginning of planting season.

Some Thai business groups relying heavily on migrant workers expressed concern about the exodus.

The number of Cambodian laborers leaving Thailand over the past week rose to more than 157,000, according to Kor Sumsaroen, governor of the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey, the main border crossing.

About 2.2 million workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are registered with Thailand's Ministry of Labor, with some 800,000 additional workers residing and working in Thailand without legal paperwork, said Pravit Khiengpol, director-general of the Department of Employment. There haven't been reports of workers from Myanmar and Laos fleeing Thailand, aid workers and Thai immigration officials said.

Eat Sophea, Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand, attempted to calm Cambodian migrant workers' fears after meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Thai Foreign Ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

"We need to work closely together to allay fear among the Cambodian labors in Thailand that it is not the policy of the current administration to crack down on labor regardless of their status," Ms. Eat said.

"This is part of an effort to prevent workers from being exploited, from being abused because of their illegal status, and also to prevent human trafficking," she added.

Migrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar typically make up at least half of the workforce at a construction site.

"If the exodus continues, the construction industry will be hit hard during the latter half of the year when the economic conditions are expected to improve," said Somboon Weerapakorn, an executive at Westcon, a Bangkok-based construction company.

Suchart Chantaranakaracha, vice chairman of the business group Federation of Thai Industries, said he expects the workers will return.

"With Thailand as a developing country that can offer more jobs than neighboring countries, I believe migrant labor will soon return, providing that the clarification on the crackdown rumors is effectively communicated to them," Mr. Suchart said.

Cambodia's Minister of Interior Sar Kheng on Tuesday called the measures implemented by the junta "rushed" but said the authorities have been accommodating the return of Cambodian nationals.

"I called for Cambodian workers to enter Thailand legally in the future. Thailand in the future still needs Cambodian workers," said Mr. Sar Kheng.

Cambodians prepare to head home on Tuesday after crossing the border from Thailand, where fears of a crackdown have spurred an exodus.