Thailand, Neighbours Agree on Jobs Strategy

Thailand has agreed with Laos, Cambodia and Burma to draw up a common strategy to create jobs for millions of migrants from the three neighbours who would be encouraged back to their home countries, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

Leaders of the four nations agreed on the new strategy raised by Thaksin during a corridor meeting on the sidelines of the Sars summit in Bangkok on Tuesday, he said.

"The idea is to create jobs and revenue for people in neighbouring countries, rather than allowing millions of illegal migrants to seek jobs here," he said.

"Relocation to low-cost neighbours of some sectors which Thailand cannot sustain because of its rising costs is part of the plan. We will produce and share benefits as partners," he added.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told a press conference after a bilateral meeting with Thaksin yesterday that he supported the new economic strategy. "Prosperity in neighbouring countries is also prosperity for Thailand. If jobs could be generated in Cambodia, difficulties with job seekers would not fall on Thailand," Hun Sen said.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said foreign ministers of the four countries would meet to prepare an outline of the new strategy in Chiang Mai around July, before a meeting of four leaders in Burma's Pagan.

The Thai economy absorbs more than a million migrants from Burma, Cambodia and Laos each year.

Thailand has granted 409,339 work permits for them this year and has no effective measures to handle the remaining illegal immigrants.

Last October, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Laos for labour arrangements to prevent illegal migrant workers. Under the pact, Lao workers can get jobs here only through authorised agencies.

Another memorandum will be signed with Cambodia when the cabinets of the two countries meet on May 31, said Surakiart, who added that a similar accord with Burma was being sought.