1 August 2014, Bangkok Post

The Labour Ministry is ready to import Bangladeshi labourers to work in the fishing industry if there is still a worker shortage following registrations of migrant workers from three neighbouring countries.

Permanent secretary for labour Jeerasak Sukhonthachart yesterday said Bangladesh’s ambassador to Thailand Kazi Imtiaz Hossain recently met him to bid farewell as the ambassador’s four-year term ends this month.

During the meeting, Mr Hossain expressed concern over labour shortages in Thailand and asked about progress in the two nations’ cooperation in importing Bangladeshi workers, said Mr Jeerasak.

He said the ministry was surveying projected migrant worker demand over the next four years for all industries. The survey was expected to finish in 1-2 months. The ministry would then await worker registrations from three countries — Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

If there is still a shortage, workers will be imported and Bangladesh will be the main target, he said.

Migrant worker registration is part of the National Council for Peace and Order’s plans to end human trafficking and labour shortages.

Thailand signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) on migrant labour employment with Bangladesh and Vietnam in 2012. As there will be a new cabinet, the ministry will consider the issue again, he said.

Bangladesh and Vietnam have shown interest in sending workers to Thailand. Vietnam has eyed the construction and service sectors, while Bangladesh would send their workers into the fishing industry.

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