Burma asked to speed up ID checks on its workers here

Published: 28/02/2010 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post Newspaper section: News

SAMUT SAKHON : The Burmese cabinet has agreed to speed up the verification of Burmese workers' national identity in Ranong at the request of the Thai government for their safety during the monsoon season, according to Burmese Interior Minister Maung Oo.

Burmese workers are usually required to returned to border checkpoints in their country opposite Chiang Rai, Tak and Ranong for the verification. But the process incurs costs and risks, especially for those who have to travel by sea during storms. "For their safety, we will send officials here to verify their identity," Burma's Maj Gen Tin Oo said after a meeting with Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong.

Burmese workers can have their identities checked in the border province of Ranong without the need to return to their country. Burma plans to finish identity checks on 1.2 million of its workers by the end of the year. Burmese officials have been told to speed up the process and handle up to 1,000 checks per day at each checkpoint, doubling the numbers from the present 500 per day