Registration way below target

Registration way below target

Alien Workers

The registration of migrant workers from Burma that began on 24 September and to be ended tomorrow bagged 20,000 short of the minimum 50,000 mark in Chiangmai, according to a Thai social worker. 

"Most of them don't have the money to pay for the work permit," he said. According to the conditions laid down by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, it costs each applicant B. 3,250 for the first six months of the year and another B. 1,200 for the second six months. 

The majority, especially in Fang, Mae Ai and Chaiprakarn districts where there are large fruit plantations, receive pay only when there is work in the fields that demands additional labor, according to other sources. "There must be about 150,000 of them," said one social worker from Fang, 160 km north of Chiangmai. 

The social worker from Bangkok, who speaks Thai, Shan and Burmese fluently, reported only 40% of the applicants could pay for themselves, while for 20% the fee is paid by the employer "who is going to get it back from the employee later" and another 30% by loaning. "Only 10% of them were paid for in full by their employers, who consider them as 'part of the family'," he said. 

The social worker also related how some applicants came to inquire whether they could apply for marriage certificates and driving licenses by using the work permits. "Of course, we had to advise them to seek answers from departmental officials under the Ministry of the Interior." 

The deadline of registration was extended from 13 October to 18 October. 

"The 30 government officials, assisted by the Migrant Assistance Program, an NGO based in Chiangmai, have been working through weekdays and weekends for 25-days in a row now," he said. 

Other details 

a. Applicants by age 

b. Applicants by sex: 

c. Applicants by states: 

d. Occupations 

Agriculture comes on top followed by factories and small industries, housekeeping and entertainment. 

Bangkok Post, 28 October 2001(Updated on 25 October 2001) 

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