04.07.09 Phuket's illegal immigrants given 30 days to register
Source: Phuketgazette
Illegal immigrants apprehended by the Thai Navy near Phuket.
PHUKET:
Foreign laborers currently working illegally in the fishing industry in
the Andaman region have been given 30 days to register with the Labor
Department and Immigration in order for them to work legally in and
around Phuket.
Those who do not register during the grace period
from July 1 to July 30 face deportation if they are caught working
illegally after the July 30 deadline.
The announcement was made
during a seminar at the Phuket Merlin Hotel yesterday attended by
regional authorities, including heads of the the Third Area Naval
Command, the Labor Department, Immigration and provincial fishery
associations.
The issue of the region’s population of illegal
migrant workers entering Thailand by sea and working illegally in the
Andaman region was the main focus of discussions during the Phuket
seminar.
According to Admiral Sarayut Deangthed, in cases where
illegal workers were unable to register because they were already out
at sea, the grace period would be extended for another 60 days after
the July 30 deadline.
“There are an estimated 3.5 million foreign laborers in Thailand. In Phuket there are about 200,000,” Admiral Sarayut said.
According
to figures provided by the Navy, a total of 768 illegal workers were
apprehended in the Andaman region between January and April.
