In the wake of tensions easing between Israel and Hamas, Thailand’s Labour Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to redeploy its workforce to Israel. Through a statement issued by Pairote Chotikasathien, the Ministry’s permanent secretary, it was revealed that there had been substantive discussions between officials from both countries regarding this matter.
The dialogue was primarily initiated by Kittana Srisuriya, a minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, with Eyal Sisu, the director-general of the Population and Immigration Authority (Piba), and Inbal Mashash, director of the Foreign Workers Administration. Central to their discussions was the matter of two specific groups of Thai workers, both of whom have been directly impacted due to the ongoing conflict.
One of these groups comprises Thai workers whose contracts of five years and three months had been prematurely concluded due to war circumstances. Additionally, it includes those who had returned to Thailand between three and four years ago. Such individuals shall be allowed to continue their work in Israel under forthcoming conditions decided upon by Piba and the Thai Labour Ministry, shared Pairote.
Meanwhile, the other group contains Thai workers currently staying in Israel with expired visas and incomplete contracts. In such cases, Piba plans to extend the individuals’ visas until November of the subsequent year, declared Pairote. This will also apply to Thai workers with contracts nearing expiration, but not exceeding April of the coming year. An additional year will be added to these visas, according to a report by the Bangkok Post.
Pairote emphasized the invaluable contribution of foreign workers towards Israel, especially those from Thailand who are instrumental in bolstering the agricultural sector and thereby, Israel’s economy. “The Labour Ministry is coordinating closely with Israeli authorities to ensure Thai workers can reinitiate their work in Israel once the situation reaches equilibrium,” he affirmed.
In a sorrowful concurrent development, the Thai workers who were fatally wounded in a Hamas attack in Israel on the October 7 returned home. Arriving on a commercial flight to Suvarnabhumi airport, the coffins of the eight victims were dispatched to their respective home provinces. Hailing from diverse provinces such as Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket and Sukhothai, their sudden demise has left a void.
The Labour Ministry ensured an initial aid of 40,000 baht (US$1,096) to each bereaved family to aid with funeral expenses. Furthermore, a heartfelt memorial service was held at the airport, where Orna Sagiv, the ambassador of Israel to Thailand, paid her respects by laying a wreath on the coffins of the Thai workforce who tragically perished in Israel. Each coffin was subsequently sent to the respective home provinces. Stay tuned for more updates on this story on The Thaiger’s new Facebook page.
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