26-5-2024 (BANGKOK) Seeking to bolster employment opportunities for its citizens, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is embarking on a four-day official visit to Israel, where he plans to request an increase in the quota for Thai workers in the Middle Eastern nation.
Scheduled to visit Israel from May 26 to 29 at the invitation of the Israeli government, Mr Ratchakitprakarn and top officials from the Thai Ministry of Labour will engage in negotiations with their Israeli counterparts from the labour, agriculture, and interior ministries. The primary objective is to secure an increase in the number of Thai workers permitted to work in Israel.
According to the minister, employers in Israel’s construction sector have expressed a desire to recruit over 20,000 migrant workers, while the agricultural sector is also in need of additional labourers. The meetings will focus on expanding job opportunities for Thai nationals, ensuring fair wages, and reducing travel costs associated with employment in Israel.
In addition to addressing employment quotas, Mr Ratchakitprakarn plans to meet with Thai workers currently employed in Israel to gain insights into their living and working conditions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Thai nationals are employed only in areas deemed safe by Israeli authorities and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv.
The minister also revealed that the Thai Foreign Ministry is coordinating with countries such as Malaysia, Egypt, and Qatar to secure the immediate release and safe return of six Thai nationals currently held in custody by Hamas in Gaza.
Earlier this month, the Department of Employment (DoE) lifted its suspension on sending Thai workers to Israel, following a comprehensive assessment of the situation regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict. The decision was made in consultation with relevant agencies and with assurances from the Israeli embassy that Thai workers would be employed in secure areas only, and emergency response plans, including evacuation procedures, are in place should any danger arise.
