SONGKHLA, 13 July 2015, Fishing boat operators in Songkhla are facing labor shortages because illegal workers fled the province to avoid officials’ inspection.
The Port in-Port out Control Center in Songkhla yesterday reported normal fishing activity in the province’s waters. However, several fishing boat operators were facing difficulty, as many of its crew who are illegal migrant workers have returned home.
The government’s hard-line policies designed to address the European Union Illegal, unreported and unregulated issue have scared away illegal foreign workers in Songkhla.
One of the operators said he had been facing labor shortage problem since the registration period for migrant labors ended at the end of June. He, as well as many other operators, could not replace the workers who had left the boat.
The affected fishing boat operators are currently asking the Ministry of Labor to consider opening another round of alien worker registration, in order to recruit more helps.
