Thailand ’s Labour Ministry will consider confining job searches formigrant workers as border provinces are still experiencing labourshortages.

Permanent-Secretary for Labour Nakorn Silpa-archasaid that many migrant workers often seek employment in other provincesdespite their registration in another. The search for job opportunitiesbeyond their registered province has left the shortage of workersunresolved, particularly at Mae Sot district in Tak province.

Accordingto Nakhorn, the money which business owners have invested in obtainingwork permit for these workers have gone down the drain, as they ran awayand looked for jobs in other provinces. Therefore, the Federation ofThai Industries in Tak province will propose to the Labour Ministry toenforce Section 14 of the Labour Law.

This section of the lawstipulates that the employment for migrant workers will be confinedwithin the province which they obtained their work permit. In otherwords, they will not be allowed to seek job opportunities elsewhereexcept in the province they have registered for their work permit.

Manybusiness owners in Tak province have been reluctant in bringing theirworkers to the Central Registration Office, as the application cost ishigh and their employees could find an opportunity to run away.

Theministry will also discuss with the Foreign Affairs Ministry regardingthe interpretation of the border pass. It is not legally certain atpresent if the border pass can also be used instead of a passport inobtaining a short term employment in Thailand for these workers ornot.-VNA