New centre for migrants

Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry will launch its first Certificate of Identity (CI) centre in Samut Sakhon next month to assist migrant workers needing proof-of-status documents and ensure the economy proceeds without hiccups.
The announcement followed a meeting of the National Committee on Migrant Workers Management on Monday.
According to Mr Phiphat, the committee agreed to establish a CI centre to assist migrant labourers of four nationalities — Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam — with the issuance of their travel documents (TD) and those whose work permits will expire on Oct 31.
Somchai Morakotsriwan, director of the Department of Employment (DoE), said the flagship CI centre will be launched in Samut Sakhon and operate until April. The opening of additional centres will be considered if demand is high, he said.
According to Mr Somchai, the move is in line with the cabinet resolution last October which required the registration of all migrant workers nationwide to be completed by Oct 31.
The panel raised its concerns about a delayed migrant workers’ database setting that would impact the business sector and workers’ protection rights.
Mr Somchai said the DoE also proposed a two-year permit expansion for those migrant workers in the form of a memorandum to curb the negative impact on business sectors of a worker shortage.
He urged employers to register and renew the status of their migrant workers within the specified time frame.