More interpreters needed by Labour Ministry

BANGKOK, Dec 10 (TNA) -- Interpreters for Myanmar and Cambodian languages are now required by the Ministry of Labour in a bid to assist migrant workers in Thailand, said Ananchai Uthaipattanachep, acting director-general of Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. Currently, the department has employed interpreters at 30 Port In Port Out Control Centres (PIPO) in 21 provinces out of 32 centres in 22 provinces, said Mr Ananchai. There is still a lack of interpreters in five centres presently, he said, adding that the newly appointed Labour Minister Police General Adul Sangsingkeo had given his order during a visit to a PIPO centre in Samut Sakhon province on December 3 that proper numbers of the interpreters should be employed at those centres so that Myanmar and Cambodian migrant workers could receive welfare and protection privileges like Thai workers. Mr Ananchai said the duty of interpreters is to assist officials and workers at the centres in understanding each other, and to inform the workers to better understand the Thai law and benefits they will receive from employers. Migrant workers in Thailand are mostly from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Many of them are employed in fishing industry and factories. (TNA)