No bad vibes from Myanmar over mass worker exodus, says Don
Myanmar authorities have not sent negative signals towards Thailand after thousands of Myanmar workers in the Kingdom returned to their homeland following the enactment of the new foreign labour law, said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Tuesday.
“We understand that they [Myanmary] understand that this is domestic management that needs to be done properly,” Don said, adding that his ministry has not taken action regarding the matter.
Don spoke as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) met on Tuesday to discuss the controversial law which punishes employers with a fine of between Bt400,000-Bt800,000 for hiring illegal migrant workers.
The law enforcement, active since June 23, has caused employers to terminate the jobs of thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are from Myanmar, and send them back to their homelands.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the NCPO agreed to enact an Article 44 order, which gives absolute power to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to delay enforcement of four articles in the law which address such punishments.
Don suggested that the delay of 120 days could help ease the impacts of the law.
He said it was expected that Myanmar will face higher unemployment following the workers’ return and it will take time for authorities there to evaluate the situation.
“Those workers can also take this time as their holidays,” he added.