Thais warned to get work permits to work in Malaysia

BANGKOK, February 3 (TNA) - The Department of Employment, under the Ministry of Labour, advises Thai people in five southern border provinces to seek work permits to work legally in neighbouring Malaysia, where there is stern punishment for illegal migrant workers. The department's director-general Singhadej Chu-amnat told journalists on Friday that some Thai people used tourist visa to go to work in Malaysia illegally and many of them were fined or jailed before being deported. Singhadej acknowledged that Malaysian authorities strictly inspect local entertainment venues and massage parlours regularly to arrest illegal migrant workers who are vulnerable to be engaged in sex trade and human trafficking. According to the senior Thai official, immigration offenders each face a maximum of six months in prison or/and a maximum fine of 1,000 Ringgit or about 8,000 baht in Malaysia. To work legally in Malaysia, the senior Thai official suggested that Thai workers seek permission from his department through five channels, including arrangements by legally-registered recruitment companies, direct contact with his department, self-arrangements by direct contact with foreign employers and their employers in Thailand who take employees abroad for work or send staff to train abroad. The senior official announced that job vacancies in Thailand and overseas are available on his department’s mobile application, “Smart Job Center”, or job seekers, particular those in five southernmost Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun, can find more information at their provincial employment offices or call his department's hotline, 1694. (TNA)