{"id":470,"date":"2011-05-05T22:54:11","date_gmt":"2011-05-06T02:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hrdfoundation.org\/?p=470"},"modified":"2011-05-05T22:54:11","modified_gmt":"2011-05-06T02:54:11","slug":"thais-to-target-traffickers-illegal-migrants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrdfoundation.org\/?p=470","title":{"rendered":"Thais to target traffickers, illegal migrantsThais to target traffickers, illegal migrants"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Human trafficking rackets in Thailand will becoming the target of a crackdown by authorities as Bangkok looks to rein in the flow of illegal workers into the country.<\/p>\n

Employers who hire illegal migrants will also face arrest, the Thai labour ministry\u2019s Permanent Secretary Somkiat Chayasriwong told a press conference on 3 May. He added that anti-immigration officials would also pressure \u201call illegal migrants\u2026 through arrests\u201d.<\/p>\n

It comes as Thailand prepares to issue a new round of work permits to migrants in the country, the majority of whom come from Burma. The process will begin between June and September this year, Somkiat said.<\/p>\n

Yet the government has approached with caution the victims of human trafficking, many of which are tricked into leaving neighbouring countries for Thailand with promises of appetising salaries, only to be forced into almost slave-like conditions.<\/p>\n

A decision was reportedly reached by the labour ministry yesterday to allow such victims who are unable to return to their home countries to work in Thailand.\"\"<\/a>Human trafficking rackets in Thailand will becoming the target of a crackdown by authorities as Bangkok looks to rein in the flow of illegal workers into the country.<\/p>\n

Employers who hire illegal migrants will also face arrest, the Thai labour ministry\u2019s Permanent Secretary Somkiat Chayasriwong told a press conference on 3 May. He added that anti-immigration officials would also pressure \u201call illegal migrants\u2026 through arrests\u201d.<\/p>\n

It comes as Thailand prepares to issue a new round of work permits to migrants in the country, the majority of whom come from Burma. The process will begin between June and September this year, Somkiat said.<\/p>\n

Yet the government has approached with caution the victims of human trafficking, many of which are tricked into leaving neighbouring countries for Thailand with promises of appetising salaries, only to be forced into almost slave-like conditions.<\/p>\n

A decision was reportedly reached by the labour ministry yesterday to allow such victims who are unable to return to their home countries to work in Thailand.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Anurak Tossarat, director of Thai labour ministry\u2019s Office of Foreign Workers\u2019 Administration, said: \u201cA decision has been approved today to grant one-year temporary work permits for migrants under protection in Thai welfare centres undergoing trial after being trafficked into Thailand.
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