Chatchai orders increase in ATM machines to meet needs of migrant fishing workers

Chatchai was speaking to reporters after he chaired a meeting of a sub-committee in charge of tacking the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) at Government House.
The meeting was held in response to allegations from Human Rights Watch that Thai employers took advantage of migrant workers in the fishing industry by paying their salary very late.
Following the allegation, the Thai government decided that employers of fishing migrant workers must pay workers by crediting their bank accounts. The banking trail would demonstrate whether employers had paid their workers on time.
But this led to a concern of insufficient ATM machines in 22 provinces to meet the needs of fishing migrant workers.
Chatchai said the Labour Welfare and Protection Department was told to report its finding to the next IUU panel’s meeting on February 2.
After the next meeting, Chatchai will invite representatives of banks to seek their help to install additional ATM machines in the 22 provinces.
Chatchai said the ATM machines in the 22 provinces will also allow migrant workers to select from the languages of neighbouring countries. They will also receive training on how to use the machines, if needed, Chatchai added.