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News & Updates

Move to Recognize Illegal Laotian Workers in Thailand1

July 2005

Lao and Thai authorities want to accelerate recognition of temporary passports for Lao labourers working in Thailand. At a meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 19 July 2005, Thai and Lao officials discussed ways to speed up issuing temporary passports and quickly find a way to have the passports recognised to protect the rights of the Lao labourers.

Authorities also discussed issues such as Lao people crossing the border to work for relatives in neighbouring Thai provinces. At the moment the workers can move between farms legally using their border pass, but authorities are keen to issue these legal farm workers with official work permits. However, this issue needs more discussion as currently the majorities of people who cross the border illegally also misuse their border pass and disappear once they enter Thailand.

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¹ "Recognition on Way for Illegal Workers." Vientiane Times, 20 July 2005. (Source: UNIAP Thailand)