Crackdown to curb rising tide of ‘job-stealing’ foreigners
Chinese and Indians are among the growing ranks of foreign nationals taking jobs reserved for Thais, according to the Department of Employment.
Karom Phonphonklang, its deputy spokesman, said yesterday the department had launched random inspections of workplaces in popular tourist areas and commercial zones across the country after receiving complaints about jobs being taken illegally by foreign nationals.
From Oct 1 to March 18, a total of 25,628 workplaces have been inspected. Of them, 820 have faced legal action for facilitating this transgression of the labour law.
Around 306,577 workers there were found to be foreign nationals. Of them, 232,106 were from Myanmar, 42,698 from Cambodia, 18,001 from Laos and 236 from Vietnam.
About 1,689 faced legal action. Of them, 721 were found to have breached the law regarding jobs that are off-limits to foreigners.
Of the violators, 316 were from Myanmar, 175 from Cambodia, 106 from Laos, 65 from India, 42 from Vietnam and five from China.
The most highly restricted jobs being done by non-Thais include street hawkers, barbers, public transport drivers, and traditional masseuses and masseurs.
Some of the foreign workers were hired in non-restricted jobs but failed to comply with rules, Mr Karom said, citing such positions as storefront salespersons as well as construction workers and other menial work.
Meanwhile, Chalermpong Sangdee, the Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Phuket, has petitioned the House committee on economic development, asking it to inspect shady businesses in this island province after receiving complaints about them.
Some illegal businesses were found to be operated by foreign nationals on long-stay visitor visas. Mr Chalermpong urged the committee to inspect businesses, notably real estate firms, which are suspected of using Thai nominees.
MFP-list MP Sittiphol Viboonthanakul, speaking in his capacity as chairman of the House committee, said he would work with the authorities to study how the law can be updated to make its enforcement stronger and more effective in dealing with illegal foreign business ownership.