Myanmar nationals working in Thailand have been reminded that they are only permitted to work in the occupations specified in their work permits and are not allowed to engage in other types of employment, according to an announcement by the Office of the Labour Attaché in Thailand.
The statement also noted that there are 27 occupations in Thailand that are strictly prohibited for foreign workers.
According to the release, Myanmar citizens wishing to work in Thailand as basic laborers must do so in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries. They are required to apply through licensed overseas employment agencies (Thailand) authorized by Myanmar’s Department of Labour.
Those seeking employment in Thailand as skilled workers through their own arrangements must obtain prior approval from the Department of Labour before departing for work abroad, the announcement added.
The Labour Attaché Office urged Myanmar workers to strictly comply with existing regulations to avoid legal consequences.
These 27 completely prohibited occupations in Group (1) which are: (1) Sculpture, (2) Driving a motor vehicle (except international aircraft and forklift), (3) Auctioneering, (4) Cutting or polishing diamonds or gemstones, (5) Haircutting, hairstyling or beautification, (6) Hand weaving, (7) Mat or basket weaving, (8) Making handmade Sa Paper, (9) Lacquerware, (10) Making traditional Thai musical instruments, (11) Making floral patterns on gold, silver, and bronze, (12) Making gold, silver, or rose gold items, (13) Making bronze items, (14) Making Thai dolls, (15) Making mattresses and blankets, (16) Casting pottery, (17) Making handmade silk items, (18) Casting of idols, (19) Making of paper or cloth umbrellas, (20) Brokers, brokers (except brokers in international trade), (21) Traditional Thai massage, (22) Tour guides, (23) Street vendors, (24) Hand-tying Thai characters, (25) Hand-spinning of silk, (26) Secretarial or clerical work, (27) Legal services (lawyers).
Group (2) has 3 types of occupations that can be performed according to international agreements, namely (1) Accountant, (2) Engineer, (3) Architect, and Group (3) has 8 types of skilled occupations that can only be performed by an employer, namely (1) Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishing, (2) Bricklaying, carpentry or other construction work, (3) Pottery making, (4) Knife making, (5) Shoemaking, (6) Hat making, (7) Sewing, (8) Sculpture or pottery making.
There are two types of jobs permitted for MOU workers in Group (4): (1) General labor, (2) Shop front clerk (employer must be Thai and cannot open his/her own shop).
Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are required to live and work in accordance with the existing laws of Thailand, not to work in unauthorized occupations, to respect Thai culture, customs, and traditions, and to carry their official identification documents (passport, CL, work permit) when traveling outside their place of residence. If you need assistance, you can contact the Labor Consulate in Thailand for assistance, the Labor Consulate in Thailand has announced.
