Fisheries Industry in Thailand Seeks Myanmar Workers Amid Cambodian Exodus
Thailand's fishing industry faces labor shortages as thousands of Cambodian workers return home following recent tensions, prompting calls for Myanmar workers to fill the gap.
Thailand's fishing industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage following the return of thousands of Cambodian workers, primarily those employed under Section 83 of the 2015 Fisheries Act.
Mongkol Sukcharoenkana, president of the Thai Fisheries Association, stated that approximately 14,000 to 15,000 Cambodian nationals are legally employed in Thailand's fishing sector, with two main categories of workers: MOU workers and Section 83 workers.
MOU workers are employed under a government agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, and their contracts typically last two years, with most working in processing plants.
Section 83 workers are issued crew member certificates, serving as both temporary residence and work permits for foreign workers on fishing vessels.
Following recent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Cambodian workers, mostly in the Section 83 category, have returned to Cambodia.
However, most MOU workers have remained in Thailand, as their contracts are still valid.
The returning workers' departure is not due to unpaid wages, as many employers offered extra pay to encourage them to stay, but rather due to external pressures prompting their return.
To address the labor shortage, the Thai Fisheries Association is seeking approval from the Labour Ministry to expedite the recruitment of Myanmar workers under Section 14 of the Labour Protection Act, which governs employer-employee relations.
Mongkol noted that Myanmar workers are already skilled in fishing, unlike Bangladeshi workers who require additional training, and that there are sufficient numbers of Myanmar workers available to fill the gap.
Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of Sea Value Plc and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, added that there is no indication that MOU workers are planning to return to Cambodia.
These workers prefer to remain in Thailand due to better welfare benefits and clearly defined employment terms, making them unlikely to be affected by the current situation.
Mongkol Sukcharoenkana, president of the Thai Fisheries Association, stated that approximately 14,000 to 15,000 Cambodian nationals are legally employed in Thailand's fishing sector, with two main categories of workers: MOU workers and Section 83 workers.
MOU workers are employed under a government agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, and their contracts typically last two years, with most working in processing plants.
Section 83 workers are issued crew member certificates, serving as both temporary residence and work permits for foreign workers on fishing vessels.
Following recent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Cambodian workers, mostly in the Section 83 category, have returned to Cambodia.
However, most MOU workers have remained in Thailand, as their contracts are still valid.
The returning workers' departure is not due to unpaid wages, as many employers offered extra pay to encourage them to stay, but rather due to external pressures prompting their return.
To address the labor shortage, the Thai Fisheries Association is seeking approval from the Labour Ministry to expedite the recruitment of Myanmar workers under Section 14 of the Labour Protection Act, which governs employer-employee relations.
Mongkol noted that Myanmar workers are already skilled in fishing, unlike Bangladeshi workers who require additional training, and that there are sufficient numbers of Myanmar workers available to fill the gap.
Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of Sea Value Plc and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, added that there is no indication that MOU workers are planning to return to Cambodia.
These workers prefer to remain in Thailand due to better welfare benefits and clearly defined employment terms, making them unlikely to be affected by the current situation.
