MFP denies anti-migrant plan

The Move Forward Party (MFP) yesterday denied reports that it has a policy to repatriate migrant workers to neighbouring countries.

The party that won the most seats in the May 14 election was responding to claims by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at a weekend rally and which have been widely reported in Cambodian and Thai media.

According to a report by the Khmer Times on Saturday, Hun Sen said he would not accept MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s policy. He purportedly threatened to expel Cambodian workers.

It quoted Hun Sen saying: “I would like to raise a point that needs to be tracked seriously regarding workers who have worked overseas. I do not interfere with your internal politics, but I hope that you would look beyond Thailand.”

The MFP yesterday said the party’s stance is to protect the welfare and labour rights of all workers, regardless of nationality.

“The Move Forward Party recognises the importance of the contribution made by the migrant workforce to Thailand. Therefore, we aim to expand and improve regular pathways [for] the entry and employment of migrant workers in Thailand, provide them with appropriate protection, and ensure that such pathways are free from extortion, coercion or other forms of exploitation.

“This approach also aids responsible employers in finding convenient avenues to fulfil the much-needed human resource needs for their industries,” the MFP said.

One group that helps Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand acknowledged the rumours circulating that they would no longer be able to work in the country.

The Charity Association of Cambodia said the rumours might have stemmed from a misunderstanding about a recent regulatory change. Employers no longer need to register their quota of foreign workers at the Department of Labour in Bangkok. They can now do it at the department’s office in the province where their businesses are located.

As of April this year, Thailand is hosting about 2.7 million registered migrant workers, comprising around 7.6% of the workforce, says the Department of Employment (DOE).

Hundreds of thousands more workers are living here without proper documentation. The recovering economy, meanwhile, continues to face a labour shortage in sectors such as tourism, construction and the food processing industry, says the Thai Chamber of Commerce.