Thailand showing its true colours yet again ...
How to Make a Killing: Overpriced Covid-19 Tests for migrant labourers
Talking with migrant labourers and field workers in Chiang Mai about COVID-19 test measures.
Following a December 2020 outbreak of Covid 19 among migrant workers in Mahachai, Samut Sakhon, foreign workers around Thailand, a group with comparatively high infection rates, were targeted by the government for pandemic control measures. Under the new policy, those who refused testing were not allowed to register for work. They were also denied work permit and visa extensions. Migrant workers who agreed to take the test were forced to pay expensive fees in advance, adding another worry to their lives.
On 29 December 2020, the Thai government issued a cabinet resolution to implement Covid-19 control measures for migrant workers in Thailand. Because of the pandemic, Cambodian, Lao, and Burmese nationals illegally working in the country were going to be allowed to register online for work and could remain in Thailand until 13 February 2023. The plan was to let state authorities get a better idea of how many migrant workers were in Thailand, making it easier to control the spread of Covid.
The policy posed new problems for migrant workers, however.
A 2020 ministerial regulation prohibiting individuals with leprosy, tuberculosis, syphilis and addiction problems from entering Thailand was revised to include Covid-19. Those coming to work in the kingdom were required to undergo testing. Illegal workers hoping to register online and remain in country under the new policy did too, as did legal workers renewing their documents. So did their local dependents.
The test fee was set at 3,000 baht and anyone wanting to stay in country had to pay. Without the test, they could not extend their visas. Without it, they could not renew their work permits. Without it, they would not be allowed to formally register.
Added to the fees already assessed for work permit extension, health checks, insurance, registration and the issuing of pink card IDs, each worker suddenly needed to pay as much as 9,180 baht. If they had children, the amount was even higher. The rates for dependents varied by age from 3,800 – 7,300 baht. The mandatory 3,000 baht Covid test fee applied to them as well. It was and remains an exceptionally heavy burden for migrant workers, many of whom have been unemployed since the pandemic began. Many families have been left without work and income.
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