Thailand is ready to import Bangladeshi workers for the country’s fishing industry to boost production since the country suffers from workers’ shortage. Jeerasak Sukhonthachart, Permanent Secretary for Thai Labour Ministry, told it to The Bangkok Post on Thursday. The Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Thailand Kazi Imtiaz Hossain met him on a courtesy visit in his office in Bangkok recently. It is noteworthy that Imtiaz Hossain’s four-year term as Ambassador to that country ends this month.During the meeting, Mr Hossain expressed concern over labour shortages in Thailand and asked about progress in the two nations’ cooperation in importing Bangladeshi workers, said Mr Jeerasak.He said the ministry was surveying projected migrant workers’ demand for the next four years for all industries. The survey is expected to finish within two months. The ministry would then await worker registrations from three countries – Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. If there is still a shortage, workers will be imported and Bangladesh will be the main target, he said.Migrant worker registration is part of the National Council for Peace and Order’s plans to end human trafficking and labour shortages.Thailand signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) on migrant labour employment with Bangladesh and Vietnam in 2012.As there will be a new cabinet, the ministry will consider the issue again, he said. Bangladesh and Vietnam have shown interest in sending workers to Thailand. Vietnam has eyed the construction and service sectors, while Bangladesh would send their workers into the fishing industry.
