Migrant workers from Myanmar work in an agricultural field in Chiang Rai
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CHIANG RAI – The Department of Labor Protection (DLPW) and Welfare is set to categorize debt bondage as a form of employment offense, introducing a network of interpreters to assist migrant workers in Thailand.
Acting Director-General Pannee Sriyudhsak has revealed the department’s response to the term debt bondage as noted in the Trafficking in Persons report, that further clarification regarding this terminology will be made.
She has said that the department will bind the terminology of debt bondage with criminal penalties, and actions will be immediately carried against forced labor, which could lead to human trafficking.
Pannee Sriyudhsakhas further stated that the department has continuously experienced difficulties when dealing with migrant laborers, due to language barrier and the lack of interpreters, thus complicating the process with extensive delays.
To solve this issue, the DLPW is set to cooperate with Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai to provide interpreters to assist with the department’s operations which require the knowledge of communicable languages within ASEAN, including online communications channels which should help facilitate the operations.