Thailand to Admit 10,000 Sri Lankan Workers in First Wave
Thailand will admit approximately 10,000 Sri Lankan workers in a pilot programme following a labor agreement signed in September, with the first group expected to arrive within one to two months.
Labour Minister Julpan Amrivivat revealed details of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and employment agreement between Thailand and Sri Lanka covering the hiring of Sri Lankan workers in Thailand. Following cabinet approval and the signing of the MOU on September 14, the process can move forward to import workers immediately.
Amrivivat stated that Sri Lanka is preparing a pool of workers for selection, and the first batch of approximately 10,000 workers is expected to arrive within one to two months. The MOU does not specify exact numbers, but the target has been set at 10,000 for a pilot programme to assess the skills of these workers and determine which construction and industrial sectors they can best serve.
The minister noted that Sri Lankan workers have extensive experience in other countries and have not raised security or safety concerns. While Thailand still has demand for foreign labour, careful screening and strict oversight by the Department of Employment and state agencies will be mandatory. Amrivivat acknowledged that certain types of work are difficult to fill with Thai workers, making foreign labour a practical necessity rather than a threat to the domestic workforce.
