New taskforce to target 'Grey Chinese' labour exploitation and illegality in Thailand
The Ministry of Labour announced the formation of the committee following alarming discoveries of numerous foreign workers occupying professions specifically reserved for Thai citizens.
Labour Minister Phongkawin Juangroongruangkit revealed on Friday (July 18) that the newly formed committee will investigate employment conditions, instances of forced labour, and the exploitation of child labour among foreign workers.
This initiative is a direct response to a surge in illegal employment across various sectors.
"Current circumstances indicate the continued use of illegal labour in many areas, especially involving child labourers and foreign workers," stated Minister Phongkawin.
He highlighted the impact of certain foreign capital groups, particularly from China and neighbouring countries, who are reportedly exploiting labour unlawfully.
This trend, he noted, directly undermines employment opportunities for Thai workers, compromises fairness in the labour market, and poses a long-term threat to workers' rights.
In line with the government's "Urgent Regulation of Foreign Workers in Thailand" policy, the Ministry of Labour is intensifying cooperation with all relevant agencies.
The aim is to rigorously monitor, inspect, and enforce legal measures to rectify illegal employment issues and create more job prospects for Thai citizens across all industries.
Thailand has stringent laws protecting its workforce, with 27 specific occupations strictly prohibited for foreign nationals.
These include skilled trades such as wood carving, diamond and gem cutting, and the production of traditional Thai crafts like lacquerware and musical instruments.
Other restricted roles encompass service-based professions like hairdressing, Thai massage, tour guiding, and legal services.
Disturbingly, investigations have uncovered evidence of foreign nationals, including Chinese individuals working as tour guides, and Myanmarese or Cambodians engaging in local market trade, directly infringing upon these reserved occupations.
Myanmarese individuals have also been found working in Thai traditional massage parlours and street vending. This widespread violation poses a significant threat to job security and the economic stability of Thai workers.
Therefore, the comprehensive regulation of foreign labour is deemed crucial. The objective is to ensure that foreign workers are employed legally and within the specific job categories permitted by Thai law, without impinging on the rights of Thai workers.
The newly formed advisory and inspection committee will consist of 15 members. It will include advisors to the Minister of Labour, the Minister's Secretary, representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Furthermore, various agencies under the Ministry of Labour's purview will participate, ensuring an integrated and highly effective operational plan. - The Nation/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trump announces US$100 billion new investment pledge from Apple
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Apple will invest an additional US$100 billion in the United States, a move which will expand the company's domestic investment commitment and could help it sidestep potential tariffs on iPhones. The new pledge brings Apple's total investment commitment in the US to US$600 billion. Earlier this year, the company had announced it would invest US$500 billion and hire 20,000 workers across the country over the next four years. The announcement centers on expanding Apple's supply chain and advanced manufacturing footprint in the US, but still falls short of Trump's demand that Apple begin making iPhones domestically. "Companies like Apple, they're coming home. They're all coming home," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, moments after Apple CEO Tim Cook gave him a US-made souvenir with a 24-karat gold base. "This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in America also are made in America," Trump added. Asked if Apple could eventually build entire iPhones in the US, Cook noted that many components such as semiconductors, glass and Face ID modules are already made domestically, but said that final assembly will remain overseas "for a while." While the investment pledge is significant, analysts say the numbers align with Apple's typical spending patterns and echo commitments made during both the Biden administration and Trump's previous term. In May, Trump had threatened Apple with a 25 per cent tariff on products manufactured overseas, a sharp reversal from earlier policy when his administration had exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from rounds of tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump's effort to reshape global trade through tariffs cost Apple US$800 million in the June quarter. "Today is a good step in the right direction for Apple, and it helps get on Trump's good side after what appears to be a tension-filled few months in the eyes of the Street between the White House and Apple," said Daniel Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities. "A SAVVY SOLUTION" Apple has a mixed track record when it comes to following through on investment promises. In 2019, for instance, Cook toured a Texas factory with Trump that was promoted as a new manufacturing site. But the facility had been producing Apple computers since 2013 and Apple has since moved that production to Thailand. Apple continues to manufacture most of its products, including iPhones and iPads, in Asia, primarily in China, although it has shifted some production to Vietnam, Thailand and India in recent years. Despite political pressure, analysts widely agree that building iPhones in the US remains unrealistic due to labor costs and the complexity of the global supply chain. "The announcement is a savvy solution to the president's demand that Apple manufacture all iPhones in the US," said Nancy Tengler, CEO and CIO of Laffer Tengler Investments, which holds Apple shares. Partners on Apple's latest US investment effort include specialty glass maker Corning, semiconductor manufacturing equipment supplier Applied Materials, and chipmakers Texas Instruments, GlobalFoundries, and Broadcom. Apple shares closed up 5 per cent on Wednesday. Shares of Corning rose nearly 4 per cent in extended trading, while Applied Materials gained almost 2 per cent. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Nandita Bose and Arsheeya Bajwa; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and David Shepardson in Washington and Zaheer Kachwala and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Andrew Heavens, Deepa Babington and Leslie Adler)
New Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Glove giants sink to multi-year lows
KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of Malaysia's glove giants tumbled to multi-year lows on Wednesday, dragged down by disappointing earnings, persistent concerns over a global supply glut and looming United States import tariffs. Often referred to as the "Big Four", Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd were among the most actively traded counters on Bursa Malaysia throughout the session. Top Glove closed two sen or 3.1 per cent lower at 61.5 sen — its lowest level in 34 months — with over 46 million shares changing hands. The stock has slumped 54 per cent year-to-date from RM1.35 on Jan 2. Notably, Hartalega fell to its lowest level in more than a decade since April 2013, following a disappointing quarterly result that missed market expectations. The share closed at RM1.24, down eight sen or 6.1 per cent that value the company at RM4.7 billion. A total of 25 million shares changed hands. It has dropped 68.8 per cent this year from RM3.97 early this year. Supermax slid 2.5 sen or 4.7 per cent to 51.5 sen, hitting a five-year low on volume of over 12.8 million shares. Year-to-date, the stock has shed more than half of its value. Kossan dropped 4 sen or 3.1 per cent to RM1.23, its lowest level in two years, with 10 million shares changing hands. The counter has plunged nearly 56 per cent year-to-date. Tradeview Capital portfolio manager Ng Tzyy Loon said that with the glove sector currently in a down cycle, market sentiment plays a significant role in driving share price movements. He said many investors were hoping to see more positive developments but what they received were more negative news from Hartalega's management. "Though Harta did mention that the restocking of gloves could help support future sales, the company remains cautious about supply spillover from Chinese manufacturers. "And we all know that the Chinese manufacturers can be aggressive when it comes to dumping stock at price that are marginally above – if not below – their cost just to survive," he told Business Times. Ng added that the 19 oer cent US tariff places immediate competitive pressure on Malaysia's pricing advantage, with companies heavily exposed to the US market facing the greatest earnings risk. "Of course, to fully assess this impact, we need to consider the price elasticity of demand for gloves. "However, when we examine the gloves we export to the US – which are primarily medical gloves – they represent less than one per cent of total US medical expenditures. "Therefore, we believe demand should not decline substantially," he added. Despite their depressed share prices, Ng said the Big Four glovemakers are still trading at forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of no less than 30 times, a level considered stretched by many market watchers. "While a stock can trade at a high P/E ratio just before fundamental or sectoral cycle improvement kicks in, we don't see this happening in the near future. "Investors joining the fray must be fully aware of the risks they are taking," he said. Meanwhile, Malacca Securities Bhd research head Loui Low said the average selling prices (ASPs) in the glove industry have largely stabilised and are unlikely to recover meaningfully in the near term. "The risk now is that things are becoming commoditised. ASPs can't go higher and may continue to stabilise around current levels for now," he said. Low also noted that the 19 per cent US tariff on Malaysian gloves could further dampen investor sentiment, although the overall impact remains uncertain. "But no one knows what tariffs China will eventually face. If China also gets hit with a 19 per cent tariff, then it's possible the playing field would remain level and we might not see a significant shift in orders back to Malaysia," he said. TA Securities analyst Tan Kong Jin said Malaysia's estimated market share of medical gloves in the US has increased to about 60 per cent in the first half of this year from 44. per cent in December 2024. He said the higher market share was driven by the US tariffs on Chinese-made medical gloves from 7.5 per cent to 50 per cent in January 2025 and is currently at 80 per cent. He noted that Hartalega's exposure to the US market is the highest at 57 per cent, followed by Kossan (52 per cent), Supermax (28 per cent) and Top Glove (26 per cent). "We are mildly negative on the latest tariff updates as Malaysia's pricing advantage has reduced significantly against other neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. "Currently, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia match Malaysia rate at 19 per cent, while Vietnam is subject to a 20 per cent duty," he said in a note. On the flip side, Tan said Malaysia's market share is expected to remain at 60 per cent in 2025 as the tariff rates for competing nations are very similar. However, he said customers are likely continue to push back in terms of cost sharing as oversupply remains. "Currently, Malaysia companies' utilisation rates are still well below the optimum levels. For instance, Hartalega is running at 69 per cent while Top Glove is at 61 per cent, based on the lastest quarterly numbers. "Besides that, big China glove manufacturers like Intco and BlueSail will continue to expand into Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia, which will result in a higher supply. "We note that Intco's Vietnam pricing is expected to be at least 15 per centhigher than their Chinese manufacturing plants," he added. TA Securities kept its "Underweight" stance on the glove sector as the global oversupply is expected to persist for at least the next three years amid increasing competition from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Tan said the margins for the glove industry would not revert to prepandemic for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Malaysian glove players are likely to continue losing market share in the non-US markets to the Chinese manufacturers.
The Sun
42 minutes ago
- The Sun
UK seeks clarification from China over redacted London embassy plans
LONDON: The British government has formally asked China to provide explanations regarding partially redacted documents submitted for its new embassy project in London. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner sent a letter to the Chinese government's representative firm DP9, seeking clarity on sections obscured for security reasons. The proposed embassy site, purchased by Beijing in 2018 for $327 million, is located near the Tower of London and was once home to the Royal Mint. Local authorities previously rejected China's initial plans in 2022, citing concerns from residents and human rights advocates. China resubmitted nearly identical proposals in July 2024, reigniting debate over the project. The UK government has given Beijing until August 20 to respond to the latest request for transparency. The embassy complex, if approved, would become the largest diplomatic facility in Britain. The controversy comes as the Labour government attempts to recalibrate relations with China. Critics argue the project's lack of transparency raises broader concerns about Beijing's influence in the UK. Supporters view it as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties through diplomatic infrastructure. - AFP
