The Thailand government has issued a stern warning to migrant workers hailing from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, who were employed under a four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU), to depart from Thailand before the end of April or potentially face legal repercussions due to visa expiration.
Deputy government spokesman Kharom Polpornklang emphasized the necessity for these migrant workers to leave the country before April 30, as their visas are set to expire, and failure to do so could result in charges of overstaying.
The MoU, facilitating labor cooperation between Thailand and its neighboring countries, permitted Thai employers to hire workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar for a duration of four years, which concluded on January 1 of this year.
Kharom further elaborated that employers seeking to rehire migrant workers under the MoU can expedite the process by submitting their applications for re-employment. This streamlined procedure aims to reduce processing time for workers in their home nations and facilitate their return to work in Thailand.
Collaborating with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, the Employment Department of the Thai Labour Ministry has endeavored to enhance and expedite the process for the rehiring of these migrant workers, ensuring a smoother transition back into employment within Thailand.
Kharom outlined that workers falling under this category can exit Thailand through border checkpoints and promptly re-enter if their employers furnish complete documentation to Thai authorities, thereby minimizing disruptions to their employment status.
The warning comes amid concerns over the legal status of migrant workers as their visas expire and the need to ensure a lawful and orderly transition for them and their employers. It highlights the importance of adherence to immigration regulations and cooperation between Thailand and its neighboring countries in managing labor migration.