Meeting looks at system to deal with migrant workers' recruitment problems

BANGKOK (ILO News) – A national consultation on strengthening migrant workers’ access to complaints channels and ability to get grievances about their recruitment process dealt with was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment (DOE).

The meeting, on 15 October 2012, was part of the DOE’s commitment to strengthen protection for migrant workers’ and combat human trafficking.

During the consultation, the findings and recommendations of a study, “An Assessment of Complaint Mechanisms to Address Grievances in the Recruitment of Inbound and Outbound Migrant Workers in Thailand” was presented. The paper was prepared by the ILO’s Tripartite Action to Protect Migrant Workers from Labour Exploitation (TRIANGLE project) and the Asian Research Centre for Migration (ARCM) at Chulalongkorn University.

“The study shows that the Government has improved complaints channels for Thai workers going overseas; but there are still legislative and operational gaps in accessing redress for recruitment-related abuses faced by migrant workers coming in to the country,” said Max Tunon, Coordinator of the TRIANGLE project.

As well as discussing the survey findings, the meeting provided an opportunity to collect perspectives from various stakeholders, including concerned government agencies, migrant workers, civil society organizations (CSOs), academic and international organizations. The recommendations that emerged include the revision of complaint mechanism provisions under the current Recruitment and Job Seekers Protection Act for inbound migrant workers; ensuring access to redress and appropriate penalties for violations of the law; and establishing a designated institution responsible for the administration of complaint mechanisms for inbound migrant workers.

In addition, it was suggested that awareness-raising and capacity building activities should also be supported to ensure systematic and non-discriminatory practices when dealing with complaints.

The ILO TRIANGLE project is supported by the Australian Government Aid Programme. The project works with the Government, social partners and CSOs to strengthen the formulation and implementation of recruitment and labour protection policies and practices.

For further information please contact:

The Department of Employment (DOE)
Ministry of Labour (MOL)
Mitmitree Road, Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400
Hotline: 1694

Kuanruthai Sirirpatthanakosol, National Project Coordinator, ILO Bangkok
Tel: 02 288 1354
Email

Krisdaporn Singhaseni, Information Officer, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok
Tel: 02 288 1666
Email