YANGON- Although Thai government already extends residency permit until by the end of July, they are now arresting undocumented Myanmar workers, says Moe Gyo, Chairman of Joint Action Committee for Burmese Affairs (JACBA).

“In Thailand, a crackdown on illegal immigrants is still ongoing. They have arrested undocumented workers during COVID-19 outbreak. However, they are compassionate in their actions against illegal migrants,” said Moe Gyo.

He also said that about 3,000 illegal Myanmar migrants were arrested in Thailand during four months of COVID-19 outbreak.

Those detainees had to pay a fine between Baht 2,000 and Baht 200,000. If a detainee will not pay a fine, he or she must be jailed.

Due to COVID-19, over 300,000 Myanmar migrants already face jobless in Thailand, according to the report of Myanmar Labour Organizations in Thailand.

Thai Immigration Force held a press conference on June 23rd and they said that there were over 7,600 Myanmar citizens who illegally entered Thailand during COVID-19.

In Thailand, there are over 800,000 illegal Myanmar migrants. Many Myanmar nationals work illegally in Mae Sot by crossing the river from Myawady Township, in Kayin State.

From May 1st to July 10th, a total of 45,092 migrant workers returned to Myanmar.

Among the returnees, majority will return to Bago Region, while Mon stood second, Kayin State stood third and Magway Region stood fourth place and the minimum return to Chin State.