Myanmar signs labour agreements with Thailand

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) -- Myanmar and Thailand have signed three agreements on providing equal benefits to Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, on offering employment to Myanmar workers and on giving easier access for people of the two neighbouring countries on crossing the border. The agreements were signed at the Government House and were witnessed by visiting Myanmar’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha. Gen Prayut said during a joint press conference with Suu Kyi that his government was willing to work with the new civilian government of Myanmar and that he had discussed several constructive issues with her. The issues covered providing protection and benefits to Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Thailand has given about 150 million baht for development projects in Myanmar plus cooperation to jointly suppress drug trafficking along the two countries’ border, a cooperation on public health and on improving Myanmar workers’ skills, said Gen Prayut. Gen Prayut said he and Suu Kyi had agreed to accelerate on the construction of the second Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to facilitate bilateral trade and investment of the two countries. Thailand continues to support Myanmar government’s peace process and is pleased to learn that the effort is providing a fruitful result while the Thai government has requested Myanmar administration to set up a committee to resolve Myanmar refugees who have fled the war in their home country and are now taking a refuge in Thailand, he said. The two countries will strengthen cooperation with a third country, for example, Japan in improving people skills as well as on developing basic infrastructure, Gen Prayut said. On cooperation under the ASEAN framework, he said the two countries have pledged to work closer for peace and stability in this region and to make the ASEAN Community becomes stronger. Suu Kyi concludes her three-day official visit to Thailand on Saturday and is due to return home later in the evening. (TNA)