BANGKOK, 25 June 2012 -The Ministry of Labor is now trying to remove Thailand from the United States Human Trafficking watch list, and planning to enforce more restrictions on legal migrant workers.
Labor Minister Mr. Padermchai Sasomsap said in his statement that a study on the US watch list will be carried out in its effort to have Thailand removed from top nations notorious for human rights violation.
Relevant agencies and ministries will be coordinated to draft a plan according to the US criteria. He added that all of the requirements are expected to be complied with in order to improve the image of Thailand.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare will address the issue of a baby born into a migrant worker family in Thailand by drafting a law which will force any pregnant legal migrant workers to return to their country to give birth.
Mr. Paderm said they are required to leave Thailand if they are in their 3rd month of pregnancy. They will only be able to return to Thailand to work after they have given birth. The department will try to finish this draft as soon as possible before seeking opinions from relevant agencies and neighboring countries.
He said he wanted them to understand that the new law is by no means to violate human rights, but it is Thailand’s attempt to clarify some negative criticisms such as child labors and human trafficking.
