Registration process is complicated and expensive, Laotian workers say
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Easier to get a tourist visa and pay bribes, most tell researcher
The majority of Laotians working in Thailand avoid proper registration because they not only find it complicated but too expensive, according to research conducted by Ubon Ratchathani University.
“Only about 10 per cent of Laotian migrant workers have registered themselves properly,” said Assistant Professor Pruek Taotawin of the university. “This means Thailand will continue to have problems with illegal labour.”
Pruek conducted his research after the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Laos on co-operation of employment. His research focuses on migrant workers from Saravan district.
According to his findings, the MoU-prescribed process is complicated, time-consuming and expensive for Laotian workers. In fact, the legally charged fees are not high, but Laotians are also subject to bribes demanded by officials and collected by agents.
“To get the proper registration, each Laotian has to pay between Bt18,000 and Bt25,000,” Pruek said. “Corruption is rife on the Laotian side. There, workers are forced to bribe to get what they want.”
The process on the Laotian side of the border is semi-monopolised, leaving Laotian workers with few choices. If they do not bribe officials, they will have to work illegally in Thailand.
Dao, 23, said she had already made a choice – to head to Bang Bon in Bangkok for a factory job, without registering as a migrant worker.
“I will use my passport and seek a tourist visa,” Dao said.
She said she had spent some time working in Bangkok before and could easily extend her stay.
“I can easily claim I am a tourist,” she said, “I have met many Laotians who are doing the same thing.”
Dao said she also paid some bribes to get her passport issued.
“But it’s just a one-off payment. After I get the passport, I can travel to Thailand anytime I want,” she said.
Pis, a 40-year-old Laotian, said her Thai employer paid Bt6,000 for her passport, plus Bt200 to Laotian immigration officials, and Bt200 to Thai immigration officials.
“After coming through immigration, there’s a van to send me to my employer in Rayong. The van service cost Bt1,500. My employer has paid all the fees for me in advance and will deduct them from my wages,” she said.
Pongsakorn Udomjit, 46, said the cost for getting a Laotian passport was in fact around Bt4,000.
“But if you want it fast, you need to pay Bt6,000 or Bt8,000,” he said.
Pongsakorn was hired to recruit Laotian workers for Thai employers.
“There are jobs available in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, Rayong and even the South,” he said.
About 1,000 Laotians crossed the Chong Mek border point legally each day to become illegal alien workers, he said.
“Although they are illegal migrant workers, police can’t arrest them. They enter Thailand legally,” he said.
