Employers revealed they were discriminated against, charged for migrant workers’ covid test

Date 23 Jun 2021 at 1:26 p.m.

Employers say they are discriminated against in testing migrants’ covids and charge them while workers are entitled to free tests and treatments. Migrant organizations urge the state to facilitate access to vaccines.

On 23 June 64, Mr. Adisorn Kerdmongkol, coordinator of the Migrant Working Group, spoke about the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic. among migrant workers and access to vaccines At present, there are 41,784 migrant workers infected (as of June 15, 64), divided into 35,377 Myanmar people, 4,707 Cambodians and 1,700 Laos. The outbreak was more intense and widespread than the previous two waves.

“In this surge alone, a total of 26,241 migrant workers were infected, including 20,163 from Myanmar, 4,478 from Cambodia and 1,600 from Laos. because of the covid crisis or according to the order of the Prof. “said Adisorn.

Mr Adisorn said the epidemic situation has forced these migrant workers to find work elsewhere to make a living. when changing jobs change employer Make the beauty of transnationalism from the original legal source. work legally become illegal, such as being caught doing the wrong job or the labor documents do not match the current employer Although it is something that both workers and employers don’t want to happen. But the Ministry of Labor has set up an ad hoc kit. To track and monitor the work of aliens came up 6 sets up to wipe out these people. This policy raises concerns that it will further make workers hide. If you are sick, you will not dare to come out and ask a doctor. for fear of being caught.”

“We are worried if the situation continues like this. People still stick together a lot and there are chases. causing many people to dodge did not dare to go to the doctor This is worrisome, if conflict management is like this, we think it will be more difficult to control communicable diseases. and not beyond any benefit Therefore, people should be organized to prevent people from entering. It should make people feel comfortable staying,” said Adisorn.Mr. Adisorn also said how to properly enter and pass the examination. As for those who intend to seek shelter for survival, we must provide them with a place to live. The government must work in the same direction, which is to do whatever it takes to provide workers with access to disease control, both testing and vaccination as quickly as possible. and must use the four principles of management, namely food, housing, occupation, and treatment when symptoms are present which now does not use the 4 districts, so the outbreak is more evident

For migrant workers’ access to vaccines If a documented worker There are approximately 2 million people in the at-risk areas to have a vaccine system. but found a limitation that There is no language in the country of origin of the workers. and both applications And the website for booking is not conducive to registration. For workers who are insured under Section 33 There are about 1 million people who have a way to reserve vaccines through the Social Security Office. And in risk areas, there is a reservation system of the Ministry of Public Health. which the employer must register for giving a chance to fall and the registration period is limited There are no plans to extend the registration period. and did not acknowledge the appointment information

While access to vaccines for dependents of about 100,000 workers, there is a reservation system if they are in a high-risk area. And there are alternative vaccines that will be available at your own cost. However, it is currently unclear how to inject it in children. and also found a problem that the followers of the labor most of which are children I don’t have documents because I wasn’t born in Thailand. The group with no documents at all It is estimated that about 1-2 million people do not have access to vaccines. In addition to alternative vaccines that have to be paid for themselves. Because most vaccination registration systems require documents. And the consideration of vaccinating migrant workers in each is different.