BANGKOK, Sept 12 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Interior, said, as part of the government’s efforts to ease labour shortage in Thailand, border police camps may be converted to COVID-19 quarantine centres, to house migrant workers who have papers to work in Thailand.
The Interior Ministry has jurisdiction and is responsible for local administration and internal security of all 76 provinces in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Thai Labour Minister, Suchart Chomklin said, converting the border patrol police camps into quarantine sites would be one way to save costs, as well as, ensuring the high quarantine standards.
“We are currently facing a shortage in labourers, especially in the agricultural sector,” said the minister.
Suchart said, migrant workers who carry work permits were mostly from Myanmar, Thailand’s neighbouring country, now facing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressed concern over the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Myanmar, and he stressed the utmost importance in controlling and screening of migrant workers stepping onto Thai soil,” said the minister.
“So, if this type of conversion of border patrol centres into quarantine spots is successful, then other provinces may follow suit,” said Suchart.
The labour minister said, some longan fruit plantation owners are providing COVID-19 quarantine facilities for migrants they are hiring.
“But that means the migrant workers will have to travel long hours into Thailand to get to their destinations, leading to huge risks in infections,” said the minister. “Therefore quarantining at the border is most ideal.”– NNN-TNA
